Marc J. Seifer
The most important work that deeply examines the life and secrets of Nikola Tesla, serving as both an explanation and a biography, is the book 'Nikola Tesla: Prophet of Silence' (My Inventions) by Marc J. Seifer, titled 'Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla'. For Tesla's own account, you can refer to the work 'My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla'.
The never-ending life struggle between Nikola Tesla's pure passion for solving the mysteries of nature and building massive systems for the universal benefit of humanity, and the ruthless, intrigue-filled world of his rivals and financiers focused on profit, patent monopolization, and pragmatism.
Initially Croatia, Austria, Prague, and Paris; but the main focus of the story is the United States (New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Niagara, and Colorado).
The last quarter of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century (predominantly the Gilded Age period between 1856 - 1943).
A tense, academic, and at times dark atmosphere driven by the excitement of scientific discovery, the splendor of technological revolution, and the ruthlessness of commercial competition.
A third-person academic narrative undertaken by author Marc J. Seifer, offering research-oriented, objective, biographical, historical, and at times psycho-historical depth.
For inventions to be valued and realized, they must be patented, adopted by massive corporations, and supported by powerful financiers. Genius alone is insufficient for survival; ruthless capitalist maneuvers, courtrooms, and public opinion manipulation dictate the path of science.
We are on the threshold of the Electric Age, the final phase of the Industrial Revolution. In America, the Gilded Age of capitalism is in full swing, with titans like Edison, Westinghouse, and J.P. Morgan monopolizing the sector. The backdrop includes the struggles of immigrants to establish themselves in America and the clash between Europe’s aristocratic academic tradition and American pragmatism.
Characters are arranged at equal intervals on a circle; you can read the relationship type and dynamics by clicking on the lines.
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It begins as a mentor(Edison) and apprentice(Tesla) relationship, but breaks down due to a conflict in vision and Edison's failure to keep his financial promises. It later turns into an relentless rivalry (in the War of Currents: AC vs DC) that pushes moral boundaries (black propaganda, electric chairs).
Edison's refusal to pay the 50,000 dollars promised to Tesla, dismissing him by saying, 'You don't understand our American humor,' and subsequently initiating a campaign of electric executions to discredit AC.
Westinghouse is a visionary capitalist who understood the commercial value and importance of Tesla's inventions, providing him with funding and respect. Although the balance of financial power lies with Westinghouse, they are dependent on one another due to the respect he holds for Tesla's technological genius. When the company hits hard times, Tesla makes a sacrifice.
The historical moment when Tesla, while Westinghouse's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, allegedly tore up his contract with his own hands, renouncing millions of dollars in royalties.
Rigid, devoted to his religious duties, and intellectual, Milutin wanted his son to become a priest. The power balance is held by the authoritarian father, but Tesla stubbornly chooses engineering. His deathbed illness becomes the greatest moral leverage in Tesla's hands, eventually convincing his father.
When Tesla was severely ill, he told his father he would recover if allowed to study engineering, leading his father to accept the condition in tears.
The War of Currents flares up between Edison's companies and Westinghouse's companies. While Westinghouse offers innovative (AC) technology at a low price, Edison develops state-backed scare tactics to protect his market share. The tension is at its peak.
Edison using Harold Brown to execute animals and subsequently humans on the electric chair using AC to smear Westinghouse's alternating current.
Batchelor is the main bridge who discovered Tesla in Europe and sent him to Edison in America. The relationship is built on appreciation for a talented employee, but Batchelor is ultimately Edison's loyal corporate man.
The legendary letter of recommendation Batchelor wrote to Edison: 'I know two great men. One is you, and the other is this young man.'
Martin is an important figure who introduced Tesla's inventions to the public, published his books, served as his editor, and introduced Tesla to high society. However, over time, Tesla's paranoias and financial tensions would drive them apart.
The numerous editorials Martin prepared in prestigious magazines he edited, polishing and defending Tesla's inventions regarding alternating current and wireless transmission.
Morgan holds absolute financial power. He maintains a pragmatic and profit-oriented stance in the face of Tesla's visionary (but very costly) projects. There is a terrible asymmetric power balance and a lack of communication in the relationship.
Morgan stopping the funding for the Wardenclyffe tower and leaving Tesla stranded because he found his vision of free global energy to be uncommercializable.
Both are of Serbian descent. Although they were initially in the same academic and social circles, Pupin eventually sided with Marconi and Edison, attempting to disprove or ignore Tesla's theses. There is a hidden jealousy and a race for prestige.
Pupin's advocacy for Marconi's radio patents rather than Tesla's, both at the American Patent Office and in court corridors.
