Tesla coil inventor continues to have loyal following
This weekend is the birthday of Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-born physicist who was the father of modern electricity. He died in 1943.
Along with the concept of alternating current, he was famous for inventing the Tesla Coil – a means of arcing electricity through the air which is standard fare for of every mad scientist laboratory in Hollywood. This weekend a local Tesla fan club is hosting a conference.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY-AS13fl30[/youtube]
This weekend is the birthday of Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-born physicist who was the father of modern electricity. He died in 1943.
Along with the concept of alternating current, he was famous for inventing the Tesla Coil – a means of arcing electricity through the air which is standard fare for of every mad scientist laboratory in Hollywood. This weekend a local Tesla fan club is hosting a conference.
It was storming Friday evening when members of the Nikola Tesla Club began setting up Tesla Coils and band equipment on the lawn of Independence Mall. Eric Manganaro of South Philadelphia is at work creating arcing sparks that respond to musical signals – he says it satisfies both his creative and analytical interests
“It’s a really strange thing to see electricity jump through the air like that without it being incredibly dangerous, even though it is kinda dangerous.”
That kind of interest pleases Nelson Chua, an electrical engineer who says not enough people know about Tesla’s ideas. Nikola Tesla had plans to develop the coil to create a wireless power distribution system that could deliver electricity around the world, for free. Chua says Tesla’s ideas were not only sabotaged but under-appreciated in universities.
All this is worthwhile to see the young generation to be aware of Nikola Tesla’s works and life. That would be a great start towards getting young generation to pursue his work further.
But it may be the weather sabotaging the planned outdoor demonstrations. Fortunately the Tesla Science Foundation has planned indoor lectures an events throughout the weekend.
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