Nikola Tesla's Milestones

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor and visionary scientist who pioneered alternating current (AC) electricity, developed groundbreaking motors, and contributed to modern technology and innovation.
1856

Birth

Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan, Austrian Empire (now Croatia), to Milutin Tesla and Georgina Đuka Tesla.

Family July 10, 1856
1861

Early education

Attended primary and middle school in Smiljan and Karlovac.

Education September 1, 1861 - June 30, 1870
1875

Studied engineering at Graz

Studied engineering at the Technical University at Graz, Austria.

Education September 1, 1875 - December 1, 1878
1880

Attended Charles-Ferdinand University

Attended Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague, but did not graduate.

Education January 1, 1880 - December 31, 1880
1881

Worked in Budapest and Paris

Worked for the Central Telegraph Office in Budapest and for the Continental Edison Company in Paris.

Career January 1, 1881 - January 1, 1884
1884

Emigrated to the U.S.

Emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City.

Location June 6, 1884

Worked for Edison

Worked for Thomas Edison before leaving to pursue his own inventions.

Career June 15, 1884 - May 1, 1885
1887

Patented AC motor

Patented the alternating current (AC) induction motor and transformer.

Achievement May 1, 1887

Formed Tesla Electric Company

Founded the Tesla Electric Company in New York.

Career May 16, 1887
1888

Westinghouse partnership

Licensed AC patents to George Westinghouse, advancing the adoption of AC power.

Achievement July 1, 1888
1891

Demonstrated wireless power

Demonstrated wireless transmission of energy with the Tesla coil.

Achievement May 20, 1891
1895

Niagara Falls power plant

Helped build the first hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls, using his AC system.

Achievement April 16, 1895
1901

Wardenclyffe Tower project

Began the Wardenclyffe Tower project to develop wireless communication and power transmission.

Achievement January 1, 1901 - January 1, 1906
1917

Later inventions and patents

Continued inventing and patenting devices in radio, X-rays, and turbines.

Achievement January 1, 1917 - January 1, 1937
1943

Death

Nikola Tesla died in New York City, largely unrecognized in his time.

Other January 7, 1943