Electricity is essential for our lives, but there are two ways to send electricity: direct current and alternating current. Direct current is a method where the current flows in a constant direction, while alternating current is a method where the current changes direction at a constant cycle. Nowadays, alternating current is the mainstream, but there was once a dispute over which one was better. This was a historical event called the “current war”.
This current war involves urban legends about Edison, a person, and another genius inventor, Tesla. Tesla invented alternating current and contributed to the technological revolution of television, radio, etc. Edison and Tesla competed in the “current war” and claimed that Tesla’s alternating current was superior. Tesla also developed a device that generates high voltage called the “Tesla coil” and researched anti-gravity technology, but these were never realized. Tesla himself also faced mental and financial difficulties.
In this article, we will introduce you to Edison and Tesla’s current war and its urban legends.
The Encounter of Edison and Tesla
Edison and Tesla met in America in 1884. At that time, Edison was developing a direct current transmission system and had gained fame as a world-renowned inventor. On the other hand, Tesla was a young inventor from Serbia who had an idea for an alternating current transmission system.
Tesla admired Edison and went to America, where he worked for Edison’s company. However, they soon clashed. Edison insisted on the direct current transmission system and criticized the alternating current transmission system as dangerous. He also cheated Tesla out of his promised payment, stole his inventions, and acted dishonestly.
Tesla was disappointed with Edison and quit his company to become independent. He then contracted with Westinghouse Electric to develop an alternating current transmission system. This is how the conflict between Edison, who favored direct current, and Tesla, who favored alternating current, began.
The Current War at Niagara Falls
The biggest stage of the current war was Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls had the potential for huge hydroelectric power generation because of its drop and water volume. However, to send the electricity far away, it had to be converted to high voltage. Therefore, the question arose as to which transmission system, direct or alternating current, was more suitable.
Edison pushed for the direct current transmission system and denounced the alternating current transmission system as dangerous. He conducted propaganda such as killing animals with alternating current electricity or using alternating current electricity for electric chairs. However, Tesla proved the safety and efficiency of the alternating current transmission system by touching high voltage himself or performing a lighting show using alternating current electricity at the Chicago World’s Fair.
In the end, the power generation project at Niagara Falls adopted Tesla’s alternating current transmission system. The power plant completed in 1895 sent alternating current electricity from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, 26 kilometers away. This was an amazing distance at that time. This success made the alternating current transmission system superior and Edison had to admit defeat.
Tesla Coil and Anti-Gravity Technology
Tesla not only invented the alternating current transmission system, but also made many other inventions and researches. One of the most famous ones is the “Tesla coil”, a high-frequency high-voltage generator. This device was applied to air discharge and wireless communication, but its experiments were dangerous and grandiose. For example, in an experiment conducted in Colorado in 1899, he generated sparks of 200 feet (about 60 meters) and caused surrounding luminescence and thunder.
Tesla was also interested in anti-gravity technology. He was looking for a way to cancel gravity by using natural energy. He believed that there was an infinite and free energy source called “free energy”, and that he could achieve levitation or time travel by using it. However, his research was hindered by lack of funds or political pressure, and after his death his materials and devices were confiscated by the US government.
There are many urban legends about Tesla’s secret researches. For example, there is a theory that Tesla developed a powerful particle beam weapon called the “death ray”, or that Tesla was involved in an experiment called the “Philadelphia Experiment” that made objects transparent or moved them in space. These theories are lacking in scientific basis or evidence, and are considered to have been made to emphasize Tesla’s greatness or mystery.
The Relationship between Edison and Tesla
Edison and Tesla clashed fiercely in the current war, and criticized and slandered each other. However, they also had respect and sympathy for each other. Edison recognized Tesla’s inventiveness and talent, and Tesla appreciated Edison’s effort and practicality. They exchanged letters and had dinner together.
Edison and Tesla were two genius inventors who contributed greatly to the development of electrical technology, and their achievements are still praised today. However, they also left many urban legends and mysteries. We still don’t know what they really thought and aimed for.
Summary
In this article, we introduced you to Edison and Tesla’s current war and its urban legends. Edison and Tesla fought over which one was better, direct or alternating current, and made many inventions and researches in the process. However, they also left many urban legends and mysteries. We still don’t know what they really thought and aimed for.
Edison and Tesla were two genius inventors who contributed greatly to the development of electrical technology, and their achievements are still praised today. They had respect and sympathy for each other, and communicated with each other while opposing each other in the current war. Their story is interesting not only as a history of science but also as a human drama.
