Nikola Tesla vs Thomas Edison EPIC NEW Documentary 2015 HD

This paragraph sets the stage for the intense rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the late 19th century. Edison, known as The Wizard of Menlo Park, was on a mission to create a safe and inexpensive electric light source to replace gas lamps. Despite over 100 failed attempts, he was on the brink of a breakthrough with the use of carbon in his light bulb design. Meanwhile, Tesla, a visionary physics student, was developing a radical new approach to electricity generation with alternating current (AC), which promised to be more efficient than Edison's direct current (DC) system. The stage is set for an epic battle over the future of electricity.

Edison's invention of the light bulb was only the beginning; he had to design and construct an entirely new industry to support it. This included creating sockets, plugs, and wiring systems since none existed at the time. His vision extended beyond the light bulb to encompass the entire electric system. However, Tesla had a different idea. He saw the potential in alternating current and believed it could be a more efficient way to deliver electrical power. The race was on to establish the dominant form of electric power distribution.

Nikola Tesla's innovative thinking led him to envision a future where alternating current could be harnessed fully, offering a stronger and more efficient method of power delivery than direct current. Despite the challenges and the fact that no AC motor had been successfully created before, Tesla was determined to prove the superiority of his AC system. His journey took him to America, where he would eventually confront Edison, the most famous scientist of the time, and present his idea for a new way to power the world.

Thomas Edison was not only creating a new light bulb but was also in the process of wiring the country and the world using his direct current system. He was on the verge of bringing his new light bulb into people's homes, but his system had its limitations, being effective only within about a half-mile radius of a power station. This meant that rural and smaller towns were left out of the electric power equation. Meanwhile, Tesla, working at an Edison factory outside Paris, had a different idea for power distribution, which he believed could bring electricity to everyone, regardless of location.

As Edison's direct current system began to transform New York into a city of light, Nikola Tesla, who had left Edison's lab and faced unemployment, was determined to prove that his alternating current system was the future of power. Despite the initial setbacks and having to dig trenches for underground cable for Edison Electric, Tesla's persistence paid off when he met a Wall Street financier who was interested in his ideas. This meeting marked the beginning of Tesla's opportunity to challenge Edison's electric empire.

Nikola Tesla's perseverance led to the development of an alternating current motor that could power machines with almost no friction and deliver power more efficiently than Edison's direct current system. This motor was a game changer, as it not only turned on lights at great distances but also powered a wide range of applications, from elevators to dental drills. Tesla's vision was to democratize electricity, making it accessible to everyone, not just a few large companies. His success in demonstrating the capabilities of AC attracted the attention of George Westinghouse, leading to a partnership that would challenge Edison's dominance.

While the advantages of alternating current were becoming apparent, the high voltage required for long-distance transmission and powering large machines also presented significant dangers. To address this, Tesla looked to a new device called a transformer, which could step down high voltages to safer levels for household use. This innovation not only made AC power possible but also safe, paving the way for its widespread adoption.

Despite the technical advancements and the potential of AC power, Edison was committed to defending his direct current system. He launched a campaign to prove that AC was deadly and dangerous, even going so far as to use it in the execution of criminals to demonstrate its lethal potential. This smear campaign aimed to sway public opinion against AC and in favor of DC, setting the stage for a brutal battle over the future of electricity.

The battle over electricity reached a pivotal moment with the Niagara Falls power project, which sought to harness the immense natural power of the falls to generate electricity. Edison pitched his DC plan to the commission, but behind his back, his own company, which would later become General Electric, supported the AC system. The board chose AC, and Edison was shut out, leading to a significant defeat and a loss of control over his empire.

The legal battles with Edison and the financial strain of the licensing fees for Tesla's patents brought Westinghouse Electric to the brink of bankruptcy. To save the company and his vision for AC power, Tesla made the selfless decision to give up his millions of dollars in licensing fees. This act not only saved Westinghouse Electric but also cemented Tesla's legacy as the winner of the battle between AC and DC, even though it cost him his personal fortune.

Nikola Tesla's alternating current system ultimately triumphed over Edison's direct current, powering America for the next century and beyond. Despite Tesla's personal struggles with mental illness and the exploitation of his patents, his vision for AC power prevailed. Today, 99.99 percent of electricity in the United States is generated and distributed using alternating current, a testament to Tesla's foresight and innovation in the late 1880s.