One cannot imagine what the world would look like today without alternating current. This is a story about invention that Tesla is most known of. This is 4th part of my walkthrough the Tesla’s museum series and I hope you’ll enjoy the ride.

Hit by a lightning - shot at Tesla's museum demonstration room. This Tesla's experiment was meant to show the world that his current was not so dangerous if used properly (as his opponents tried to convince the public).

AC/DC - The War of the Currents

During the late 1980s Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were involved in what is now known as “war of the currents”. Edison’s direct current (DC) could not be transferred to long distances because it can not be converted easily to higher or lower voltages. Tesla believed that he has a solution to this problem - alternating current (AC). It was basically a war between large electric companies for the market share. To add some spice, here is a quote from wikipedia article on this subject: “…Edison's company made claims in early 1888 that alternating current was hazardous and inferior to the patented direct current system…”

Chicago based exhibition was a breaking point in this war. World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893 was the greatest event in America and in the world of that time. Over 200.000 electric light bulbs were illuminated by Tesla’s polyphase alternating current system. It was spectacular display of lights and energy. George Westinghouse was Tesla’s investor.

The stamp celebrating this event - 400 years from the discovery of America.

Electrification of the world - Niagara Falls

After the Chicago Exposition, the winner was obvious. The door to the Tesla’s AC current was wide open. Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse built the first major hydro electric power plant and started the electrification of the world. The year was 1895.

1985: Niagara Falls - Adams Station - power houses 1 & 2 (on the left); Adams station - power house 1 interior (on the right)

Electrical machines could enter the production plants for the first time in human history. This was the first major industrial revolution since “steem”-engine.
This was also due to one of Tesla’s inventions from 1888: