To kick off our journey, we start with a figure who, while not entirely forgotten, often doesn't get the full credit he deserves: Nikola Tesla. A true visionary, Tesla's inventions and ideas laid the groundwork for many of the technologies we rely on today. From alternating current (AC) electricity, which powers our homes and cities, to early experiments in wireless communication, Tesla's contributions were nothing short of revolutionary.
A Visionary Ahead of His Time
Tesla was a man of remarkable foresight. He imagined a world where information could be transmitted wirelessly across vast distances, an idea that paved the way for modern radio, television, and even the internet. Despite his groundbreaking work, Tesla's life was marked by struggle and financial hardship. Many of his ideas were ahead of their time, and he often faced skepticism from his contemporaries.
The Forgotten Inventions
While Tesla is best known for his work on AC power, he also made significant contributions to other fields. His experiments with X-rays predated Wilhelm Roentgen's discovery, and he even designed a prototype for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, a precursor to the modern helicopter. Despite these achievements, many of Tesla's innovations remain obscure, overshadowed by his more famous contemporaries.