Nikola Tesla's Milestones
Birth
Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan, Austrian Empire (now Croatia), to Milutin Tesla and Georgina Đuka Tesla.
Early education
Attended primary and middle school in Smiljan and Karlovac.
Studied engineering at Graz
Studied engineering at the Technical University at Graz, Austria.
Attended Charles-Ferdinand University
Attended Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague, but did not graduate.
Worked in Budapest and Paris
Worked for the Central Telegraph Office in Budapest and for the Continental Edison Company in Paris.
Emigrated to the U.S.
Emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City.
Worked for Edison
Worked for Thomas Edison before leaving to pursue his own inventions.
Patented AC motor
Patented the alternating current (AC) induction motor and transformer.
Formed Tesla Electric Company
Founded the Tesla Electric Company in New York.
Westinghouse partnership
Licensed AC patents to George Westinghouse, advancing the adoption of AC power.
Demonstrated wireless power
Demonstrated wireless transmission of energy with the Tesla coil.
Niagara Falls power plant
Helped build the first hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls, using his AC system.
Wardenclyffe Tower project
Began the Wardenclyffe Tower project to develop wireless communication and power transmission.
Later inventions and patents
Continued inventing and patenting devices in radio, X-rays, and turbines.
Death
Nikola Tesla died in New York City, largely unrecognized in his time.