Thomas Edison versus Nikola Tesla: Who is more productive?
Thomas Edison is widely known as the greatest inventor the world has ever known. Nikola Tesla is also known as a great inventor and many people say he was more brilliant than Edison was. In our last post, two weeks ago, we discussed Edison’s 5 million page note-taking system and received a reaction from some of Tesla’s fans.
Should we really care who was brighter? Or is it productivity that really counts? Who was the more productive of these two famous men?
Edison is famous for inventing the phonograph, incandescent light bulb, cement making technology, motion picture camera, DC motors and electric power generation systems, battery and several other things we use every day and don’t think much about. Tesla similarly invented radio, fluorescent light, AC motors and electric power generation systems. Both these men lived long lives, well into their 80s, at around the same time a century ago.
There are big differences between Edison and Tesla. The main one seems to be based on who got the credit for what. Many Tesla fans accuse Edison of having stolen much from Tesla who worked for Edison during his early years. They claim Edison was a thief and that he died a rich and powerful man surrounded by friends because he robbed Tesla and others like him. Meanwhile, Tesla died broke and miserable and lonely with his closest friends being wild pigeons he had enticed into his room at the Hotel New Yorker. Edison fans similarly suggest Tesla was a swindler who deceived investors into financing his ideas with promises he rarely kept. They suggest Tesla got his just rewards.
Both versions appear to be true. For example, Edison did not invent the light bulb. Joseph Swan was installing them in homes and landmarks in England years before Edison got his light bulb patented and working. Edison was buying out other people’s patents and when Swan eventually sued Edison and won, Edison had to take him in as a partner in Edison’s British company. Likewise, a deceitful Tesla managed to convince J.P. Morgan, the world’s most powerful financier at the time, to finance his concept for wireless free electricity production under the guise of sending radio messages across the oceans and to and from ships at sea. Tesla was making artificial lightning with Morgan’s money that was eventually cut off.
Edison and Tesla came to technological blows in the late 1800s when Tesla’s AC (alternating current) power systems that are used all over the world today came into competition with Edison’s DC (direct current) power systems. As it turns out, Tesla’s system was the better one. Tesla’s technologies were bought by railway air brake inventor George Westinghouse who developed them into what became the multinational Westinghouse company. Edison is the godfather of General Electric, presently the world’s 12th largest company. Both these guys were prolific inventors and became famous for it. But comparing them on a point by point basis, the reasons why Edison died rich and famous while Tesla died broke and lonely become clear based on relative productivity.
The Edison versus Tesla productivity scorecard:
- Innovation output. Edison had received 1093 lifetime U.S. patents while Tesla had received 112. Although some of Edison’s patents (perhaps many of them) were bought or stolen, this is a huge number. Since Tesla wasn’t taking much money from Edison and only worked for him a short time, there is no way Edison could have stolen many from him.
- Innovation success rate. Almost 100% of Edison’s patents were tied to commercial successes while Tesla’s number was similarly high in the early years while working for Westinghouse then plummeted to about 20% after he went out on his own.
- Capital productivity. Edison built up sophisticated laboratory operations, employing some of the best and brightest people in the world, with Tesla among them for a while. Tesla built up similar labs while involved with Westinghouse and when on his own. The difference is that Edison did not hesitate to scale down or close operations from time to time as his organizational needs changed to remain solvent. Tesla had his creditors closing them for him.
- Labour productivity. This is one of the greatest differences between Edison and Tesla. Edison always had several people involved with his projects while Tesla generally worked alone. Tesla might have had extremely high levels of personal productivity at times, but Edison had the advantage of having a virtual army at his disposal. For example, Edison was able to accumulate over 5 million pages of organized records while Tesla had relatively few and they were not as well organized as Edison’s. Edison and Tesla both had legendary work ethics, but only Edison had it instilled at an organizational level.
- Media output (the Google Test). A quick Google image search of “Thomas Edison” generated 123,000 returns while the same search of “Nikola Tesla” generated 35,000 returns. Edison and Tesla each had the ability to engage the media in their day although Edison had the upper hand in this regard too.
- Network productivity. This is the Who’s Who test. Edison developed close relations with some of the most powerful and influential people around in his day, including Henry Ford, while Tesla also knew such people but tended to alienate most of them over time.
Did we miss anything important here? Or did Edison simply out-produce Tesla in every measurable way? Vote for the person you think was the most productive. If you don’t agree productivity is what counts, cast your vote anyway but let us know how you compared these two famous and controversial inventors.
Peter Paul Roosen and Tatsuya Nakagawa are co-founders of Atomica Creative Group , a specialized strategic product marketing firm. Through leading edge insight and research, sound strategic planning and effective project management, Atomica helps companies achieve greater success in bringing new products to market and in improving their existing businesses. They have co-authored Overcoming Inventoritis: The Silent Killer of Innovation now available.
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Comments
DIT says on October 26th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Edison was the better marketer, period. You can have the greatest idea in the world but if you don’t sell it right, then no one’s going to buy it.
ElecBoy says on October 26th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Very interesting article and a good one, I like Thomas Edison he is one of the person that inspires me.
Zeljko Dakic says on October 26th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I think that it is typical that Edison is highly regarded in US, at expense of genius of Tesla. In rest of the world it is not like that and I don’t think you will find many references of Edison.
In terms of innovation, it is common to regard Tesla’s as the ones whose time should came. On the other hand Tesla does attract a lot of crackpots as well, which makes objective evaluation of his work harder.
Tesla was really out of this world when it comes to creativity and visualization, as well as ideas he came up with. He really didn’t care much about money which is why he didn’t have it.
Edison was more a down to earth guy who tried to profit on every little thing, which he did. I don’t think that this is wrong at all, just they are not comparable.
Etavitom says on October 26th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
The important thing to remember is that both individuals are brilliant and had a profound impact on society. I am not concerned with who is greater, but would rather use their accomplishments as motivation for my own life.
Thanks for the wisdom!
EddieA says on October 26th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
This article seems to blur the boundaries between quality and quantity. From what I have read and studied over the years… Edison was far more concerned with inventions (in many scientific realms), while Tesla was far more concerned with science (specifically of electricity).
For example, ask any electrical engineer who was most influential in their field and my guess is that nearly every single one would say Tesla.
morydd says on October 26th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Comparing Tesla and Edison is very similar to comparing Nixon and Kennedy. It really boils down to PR and a couple of poor decisions. Tesla sold many of his patents to Westinghouse, who helped him carry on his research until Westinghous was bought out by the Edison corporation (which TA Edision was no longer involved with in any controling way) who then shut Tesla out. Perhaps Tesla would have been more productive if he had had secure income and powerful supporters later in life.
Gene Mate says on October 26th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
You also have to look around and see what’s still in use in effectively the same form as invented. Tesla has a number of inventions still in use, such as the AC power grid, nearly unchanged in over 100 years. Other inventions, such as the bladeless turbine, are just now being built as the metallurgy was not available back then. Furthermore, Tesla typically built entire systems — such as broadcast radio — while others created subportions of a complex area Tesla was examining.
Tesla was also notorious for not patenting his ideas. One look through some of his notebooks shows numerous ideas that could have been patented, though many would have been years if not decades ahead of their time.
One need only look at his work into X-rays to realize he was probably further ahead than Roentgen. I believe Roentgen actually wanted to share discovery with Tesla, but Tesla demurred. Tesla felt doing science for mankind was enough reward. But in a capitalist society such altruism is rarely true or rewarded.
Today, many of the projects he worked on are being examined by fields as varied as turbine manufacturers to nuclear fusion containment scientists. His breadth was amazing.
What might have been had Tesla not torn up that AC patent agreement with Westinghouse? Imagine if he’d struck a deal for a large share of Westinghouse, instead. We’ll never know what might have been.
Cathy says on October 26th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I have always been fascinated by Tesla since reading a book about him years ago. A long time has passed, I can’t even remember the title. What intrigued me most was his study of weather. But I can’t agree more to what Etavitom said.
christhenelly says on October 26th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Considering they are both dead, I dont think they are being very productive at all.
Ethan says on October 26th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Hmmm…I really don’t think productivity is what matters. Yeah, if you’re seeing who had their name on the most stuff, it’s Edison…by far.
If we’re talking about who made a greater contribution to society, I would argue Tesla. AC, Radio, inventing Robotics, discovering X-rays (although some people contest that) etc. etc.
I’d also like to see sources on this 100% mark of success. I will give Edison something though, he was a very clever man when it came to business. Probably the best of his generation.
Personally, I don’t care much for Edison. If anyone has studied his smear campaign against AC (specifically with the electric chair) you’ll find out he was pretty screwed up.
Tats says on October 26th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
@Ethan: We created a spreadsheet outlining the commercial relevance and success rates of all of Edison (http://tinyurl.com/2b4lhq) and Testla’s (http://tinyurl.com/yvwev4) US patents. We did an analysis and Edison’s numbers were almost perfect while Tesla’s were great until he went out on his own.
Scott says on October 26th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Edison only had that many patents due to the “army” working for him. He signed his name as a co-inventor on every patent that was created by his company. Compare this to George Westinghouse who signed as a co-inventor only on projects that he himself worked on.
Douglas Fowler says on October 27th, 2007 at 4:04 am
Well, here’s another point that was not covered. When Tesla went out on his own after Westinghouse, he did run his own lab, complete with assistant. I cannot for the life of me remember the individuals name, but he received the credit for quite a few of Tesla’s inventions. Another point that hurt Tesla, was that he was not native born. I know that in an ideal society that would not matter an iota, but it would have pulled weight out from behind Tesla, if he even cared to follow through with suing over stolen patents.
Leaf says on October 27th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I’d agree with DIT - edison was a better marketter. Funny thing is the article failed to mention how Edison rubbed off Tesla’s payment as “american humor”. I ain’t an american but that’s certainly not humorous by any degree..
As for him taking notes, from what I can remember - he didn’t need to take notes. He had ~Photographic Memory~
Comparison by patents is certainly absurd. Tesla’s machines and patents are used even today. A significant portion of Edison’s patents on the other hand are related to phonograph, telegraph and incandescent lighting - all of which are being replaced by better technologies.
As for the labour productivity, it’s true that Tesla worked solo but doesn’t show an important point that Tesla was able to outperform a batallion of Edison’s workers..
There is no doubt that Edison was the more popular of the two however.
I don’t understand one important thing though, what does productivity have to do with commercial success? If we’re talking about inspiring personalities, it’s Edison. If intriguing personalities, it’s Tesla.
Scott Husch says on October 27th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
I’ve been a tesla fan ever since reading Man out of Time. Edison may have invented more but if you look at many fo Tesla’s ideas they were light years a head of current thought. In weaponry he thought of radio guided weaponry long before it became reality.
Judging by vision and not just by sheer volume of patents many of which have no practical use now I will come down on Tesla’s side everytime.
And for those judging by wealth keep in mind Tesla frequently let his backers out of their contracts. Westinghouse could never have afforded to pay Tesla all that was due him. The fortune Tesla could have amassed would make gates look like a piker.
Chanio says on October 27th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
When Lincoln became a president, it is said that he named some of his enemies as members of his government.
Wouldn’t it have been more productive to have Edison working with Tesla forever?
Edison was like a child playing with toys, but he presented his inventions completely developed to be commercialized. That is the reason why he got so pissed off when Westinghouse impossed the AC current as the standard electricity. He had invested a lot of time studying the commercialization of Direct Current that he said it was safer for the people. He had created the electricity meter, cable standards, etc.
Besides, Tesla was brought to America by Edison. He was a real scientist but didn’t have the contacts that Edison had. They shoudn’t have split.
If they were really the heroes that we now imagine they were, they should have forced themselves to keep on working together for the sake of the world. (No electric chair, perhaps, air transmited electricity, etc.)
David Myers says on October 28th, 2007 at 6:16 am
The article makes a foolish and distracting claim of ‘productivity’ measured in ‘patents’ being the measure of a man’s worth. Following this reasoning, Isaac Newton, Thomas Jefferson and Ghandi had zero value as none earned any patents.
If we are talking raw productivity of goods, we can easily show that Stalin and Mao Tse Tung were far more productive than Einstein. But what does that prove?
Ivanhoe says on October 28th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Tesla’s inventions and his career were excluded from our history books because his inventions and patents were stolen and then weaponized. It was never intended for us to learn about the suppression of Tesla’s advanced scientific discoveries, nor about those who profited from their theft.
Dave McClave says on October 28th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
You could make a case for a person’s worth in relation to their patents, sales, acheivements, or any other measurement you wish, but only if you use a measure that is common to all participants in the comparison. In terms of patents, DaVinci had nothing on Edison, but in terms of scientific discovery and artistic brilliance, most would argue that DaVinci was the better man. The same may be said of Tesla versus Edison - in terms of business saavy, Edison was light years ahead of Tesla. But, as Tesla is a personal interest of mine, I’d say he had the upper hand when it came to discovery and invention.
I also must agree with Ivanhoe regarding suppression, weaponization and public knowledge, although to say so publicly makes me look a bit paranoid. Tesla’s most profound discoveries were purchased or stolen and then hidden or simply “shelved” by the new patent holder. This is common even today in corporate technology and the military industrial complex.
wayde says on October 29th, 2007 at 1:48 am
also not mentioned is the fact that edison offered tesla US $50 000 to redesign his out of date DC engines of the time. Tesla came up with the AC motor and edison practicaly told him that the deal was a joke pretty much. Edison could not afford to pay that amount considering it was worth more that the company he was running at the time.
Kyle says on October 29th, 2007 at 9:04 am
As a side note, Edison invented the kinetoscope and a primitive predecessor to the motion picture camera, but it was actually the Lumiere brothers in France who in 1892 invented the camera as we know it today. The Lumiere’s camera worked as both the camera AND the projector, whereas Edison’s films could only be watched on a kinetoscope (a peephole viewer in penny arcades).
Seth Metoyer says on October 29th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Nikola Tesla. No question.
BlueLightTickets.com says on October 29th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Interesting question/debate. I think that they were both amazing. I always wonder about the deathray. Maybe we wouldn’t be around to discuss this if it was every actually developed.
John Hamby says on October 30th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
The definitive test to measure “success”, or which of the two have had the most significant longterm impact can be easily tested by anyone with a two-part experiement: Live one day without Edison inventions and progeny. Part two, attempt living a day without Tesla and his inventions and progeny. Keep in mind, unless you’re reading this in daylight and on battery charged by the sun, Mr. Tesla’s already way ahead!
Alex says on October 30th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
So what about counting how many (metric) units are named after both?
Tesla - 1
Edison - 0
As already pointed out, one was true genius of a scientist, and other one was more of a marketing guy. Both were smart in their own ways.
Comparing the two is like mixing grandmothers with frogs (oranges and apples).
Sangrail says on October 31st, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Where do we vote?
Is there a poll?
If not: I say Tesla. Greater personal contribution to humanity.
It’s posts like this that make me re-evaluate what I’m wanting to ‘achieve’ with productivity, and whether the particular thing I’m doing is really worth it.
Edison brute-forced everything. Do I really want to be the sort of person that is proud of how overworked I am, and take it as such a point of pride I lie (even further) about how little sleep I get? Or do I want to come up with new ideas and frameworks that will continue being used long past my immediate presence?
I think I’ve had the same realisation with happiness. People who eat their same favourite food regularly, without much change, rated themselves as happier ‘in the moment’ - but I’m starting to suspect this is like people asked to rate how much time is passing when doing something very boring: at that moment in time, the answer is usually ‘a lot’.
But if asked to evaluate some previous stretch of time, the boring undistinguished stretches are compressed in our memory, retrospectively appearing to have taken very little time, but our interesting times, they’re memorable.
I don’t want to have a blandly comfortable time and then look back on it, regretting opportunities not taken or feel like I wasted time.
An interesting life is more important to me than a happy one. It may be more stressful at the time, but if my current life is anything to go by - it will be more satisfying.
Carlton says on November 5th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
As an electrical engineer, focusing on power electronics, I can say that Tesla is much more respected in the electrical engineering field, at least. Certainly, I agree that Edison seemed more productive, and definitely more successful, but Tesla was the real scientific genius.
Telsa’s huge exploration and understanding of electromagnetics is the reason that electricity is in every home. His research in radios, power generation and conversion, turbines and more were pivotal in powering the 20th century and some of his ideas and designs were so ahead of their time that we still haven’t fully implemented them (such as full-scale wireless power generation).
boki jaki says on November 12th, 2007 at 3:23 am
Tesla contribution more to humanity then Edison. But Tesla has not been given credit for his work. It is an absolute decrease that one of the greatest scientist in history is not an mainstream name like Albert Einstein, and Leonardo Da vinci.
T R Karson says on January 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Doctor Tesla overwhelmingly surpasses Edison. NO COMPARISON!
john says on February 27th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I like Nikola Tesla more, just because his name sound cool, and hes russian wich intriges me.
I think these kind of discussions are pointless because we werent there obvious(?).
Well they arent pointless but we will mirror there supposed character to ourselfs and ofcourse the capatalistic(?)
Edison loses the battle here
People have a tendacy to choose for the underdog, except when theres that weird homeless guy walking with a wounded pigeon after he fried an elephent.
Srry for spelling
JOJO says on April 12th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Do only Tesla fans come to this website?
Lica says on April 13th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I agree with Carlton. Tesla is the furgotten genius. Togheter with Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein, Newton, was one of the brilliant brain of history.
Papo Rodz says on May 14th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
DON’T THINK THAT BECOUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE AGREE IN THIS SITE THAT TESLA IS THE BRIGHTER AND MOST BRILLIANT INVENTOR OF THE 2 IT’S BECOUSE WE ARE ALL TESLA’S FANS,. IT’S SIMPLE AND CLEAR THAT IF SUCESS ITS MEASURED BY MARKETTING AND ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT BY KNOWLADGE AND RESEARCH THEN UNQUESTIONABLY EDISON IS THE BETTER MAN .IF YOU READ THE MAIN STORY POSTED HERE THEN YOU’LL REALIZED THAT SUCESS WAS MEASURED BY MARKETTING AND ADVERTISMENT OF IDEAS OR INVENTIONS NOT BY CHEER BRAIN POWER AND GENIOUS. IN THE BRAIN DEPARTMENT THEN TESLA WAS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF THE MUUUUUUCH INFERIOR EDISON.’NUFF SAID
Papo Rodz says on May 14th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
JUST FORGOT TO ADD.IF THE WORLD WILL COME TO A FINANCIAL DEPRESSION AND CRISIS I WOULD PICK EDISON TO INVENT HIS WAY OUT OF IT AND TAKE US TO A NEW BONANZA AGE FINANCIALLY.
ON THE OTHER HAND IF HUMANITY WOULD HAVED BEEN THREATEN TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE EXTERMINATION BY A NUCLEAR OR NATURAL CAUSES CATACLISISM THEN I’LL PICK TESLA TO BRING US OUT OF THE HOLE OR ASHES AND RE-INVENT CIVILIZATION IN THE TECHNOLOGY FIELD, HE WILL THEN TAKE US WHERE NO MAN HAVE EVER BEEN BEFORE ,FAR,FAR TO THE INFINITE UNIVERSE AND ITS MYSTERIES(SCIENTIFICKLY SPEAKING ).
I SAID THIS WITH ALL THE RESPECT TO ALL OF THOSE EDISON FANS OUT THERE AND WITHOUT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM MISTER EDISON’S TRUE GENIOUS (WHOM I ADMIRE AS WELL). ITS JUST LIKE COMPARING A GREAT VIOLINIST WHO IS A CONCERTIST\TEACHER TO A VIOLIN VIRTUOSO LIKE NICOLO PAGANINI, JUST A NO-CONTEST SITUATION BECOUSE PAGANINI WAS BORN TALENTED AND GIFTED FROM BIRTH TO BE A TOP CONCERTIST VIRTUOSO AND THE OTHER VIOLONIST WAS MADE BY CHEER PRACTICE AND AFFORT.
Steve says on May 21st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
The two genius had different role in history. Edison had worked for his present time, Tesla for the future. We can see it in theirs invention and maybe we will see, that many of Tesla dreams will coming to life soon…
John says on May 29th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Nikola Tesla is GOD people..he invented the future and he is not getting the credit that he should be. Come on seriously Edison has been stealing all of the inventions for Tesla. Tesla invented every electric and power movable object. We would be in dark ages if it wasnt for tesla. He is the greatest mind on the planet that has ever lived. The man spoke 8 languages. Edison only 1. There is no competition Tesla owns Edison in every way possible. Test is GOD like i said, and those people that said that he is RUSSIAN should so some more research…He is Croatian/Serbian.
DMadCat says on July 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I probably woudn’t go as far as that last reply but it seems to me Edison was the Bill Gates of his time. He invented a few important things but most of what he accomplished relied on other peoples’ ingenuity and his own marketing skills.
Tesla on the other hand appears to have been the true technofile more interested in working on/with the actual technology than maintaining a business.
My respect goes to Tesla. Business men do not impress me.
Kerst Levey says on July 20th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Tesla will always be one of my heros. I have known people like edison, he had the “means” to make things happen but none of the inovation. He has to steal ideas, and then make them happen. Tesla, and men like him, brilliant and creative and imaginative, but poor. It is the same way today. People who can affort college get the jobs and poor people with all of the wisdom and intelligence in the world get nothing because they just are not given the oportunity to show who they are. It’s a shame, that this world is so corupted by money. Tesla may have used someones money to fuel his dreams, but at least he didn’t steal other peoples ideas.
Kris Hjalmarsson says on August 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
As history likes to see it…
Edison invented the Light Bulb
Henry Ford Invented the Automobile
And a hundred years from now….
William . H. Gates Invented the so called “Personal Computer”.
History has it so wrong !
McBadA says on September 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Edison hired Tesla to do some of his work then screwed him over on it. TODAY we are using shit tons more telsa or tesla based inventions. if you really look into it schools tell you edison is better simply because he’s american. tesla dominates
Jun Abines says on September 25th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Tesla is the genius in terms of logic, mathematical calculation, keen observation and imagination to the highest level. He does things for the love of science and discovery to be applied into practical uses.
Edison is creative, resourceful and a true businessman. He does things to the sake of invention, accomplishments, legacy and of course profit.
I think Tesla was the better guy. He is the true scientist between the two.
zuki says on October 15th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Tesla DEFINITELY.
Nenad says on October 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I`m very happy to see that all of you can see how Tesla was important. I hate when I hear somebody mentioning the greatest sientist of the century but not Tesla. Btw
Tesla was a Serb that lived in teritory now called Croatia, but then it was Austria`s empire. Hes father was a priest in Serbian church.
Justice says on October 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
It is absurd to even compare those 2 guys. Anyone who claims that Edison contributed to the world more than Tesla did, is a totally illiterated stupid f**k.
Justice says on October 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Edison is nothing more than a Ferengi from the Star Trek. Just look at the picture! Am I wrong???
Emil says on November 1st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Tesla and there is NO QUESTION about it.
Edison was great, don’t get me wrong, but he’s the one responsible for getting Tesla “on fire”, stealing Tesla’s projects and taking full ownership without asking Tesla and patenting them as well.
Somebody says Edison was Businessman, that is total BS, that is not called Business at all. Tesla didn’t care about the money, PERIOD.
Thanks,
Emil
tim says on November 24th, 2008 at 9:50 am
tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla teslatesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla teslatesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla tesla my niggas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve says on November 25th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Edison was a Bill Gates, he took other peoples ideas and marketed/patendted them as his own. He improved up on them, but he as less of an innovator and more of a businessman. He Made his money on what would make HIM money and give him more power. He sought alliances with people who made is ability to gobble up the little guy and incorperate it to his own profit.
Was this good? Well, morally, i think the guy was a bit of a jerk(killng the elephent as propaganda against A/C) but the end result is he took these ideas and mass marketed them to the public.. so in the sense of bringing innovation to the people, he did wonders, whether he actually invented them or not.
Tesla was more of a loose canon, less controled but more pure genius. He was less focused and easily distracded and also not ethical in using others money for projects other than their indended purpose.(stealing)
Telsa probably needed more guidence.. and if he had funding and time and focus, he probably would have developed many amazing things.. as he didn’t create them for what was marketable, but rather what he found interesting. We would probably have some intersting inventions today that do not exist had he had funding and focus… but I think he really needed someone like a westinghouse or edison to guide him and keep him focused.
So.. to answer the question? I think Tesla was more of the Genius, more of the inventor… where Edison was able to take others innovations and bring them to the world(granted for his own profit)
Both played a role, but one is not necessarily better.
I will say this.. Edison irks me because he gets so much credit as an inventor… when he made his profits on other inventions.
I go back to Bill gates.. he got luck getting MSDOS and was able to market it. Once he got money and power, he took other peoples idea and improved upon them.. and integrated to eventually kill off the real innovators. Microsoft has never been in innovator. So I consider Edison like a Bill Gates.. only Bill gates didn’t kill elephents.
Steve says on November 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Let me simplify that last message:
Edison was about making money.. though I’m sure he loved the inventions he patented… money was his driving force
Tesla was about invention, being rich didn’t interest him.
I don’t judge sucess on how much money you have, or how well off you are when you die.
Edison wined and dined the elite, the powerful. He played politics and games.
Tesla followed his dreams and interests, he lived his life the way he wanted to. He may have died poor and lonely with Pidgeons, but he lived a very very full life, and I’m sure he was thankful for the oportunity to use his genius.
Personally, I’d have rather lived my life like Tesla. I’d rather pursue my dreams poor than to be rich and play all those political games. So I personally have more respect for Tesla. Plus, I can’t stand that Edison gets credit for inventing things he didn’t invent.
While I don’t approve of him misuing westinghouses funds… I have more respect for the way Tesla lived his life as life is not all about planning.
kresimir says on December 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I don’t know where the rumour comes from that Tesla was russian.
Like others already mentioned he was Serbian, born and raised in Croatia (back then under the Austrian Empire).
Tesla said: He is as proud of his serbian mother as he is of his native country Croatia.
And I think Tesla was more briliant than Edison. There is still a lot of his inventions not being used yet. He was ahead of his time.
Real says on December 13th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I’ll give it to Telsa. Most of his vision ( free energy) and inventions were not liked by the elites. We don’t know to this day what half his inventions are since the gov’t seized his notes. The dude was simply there to better humanity while Edison just saw humans as a means; a tool to get more money and increase his happiness.
gugue says on December 16th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
many documentary shows how mafious edison stole tesla´s ideas… he even eletrecuted animals to ruin tesla´s work in ~AC .
visionary Tesla was intuitive, mystical and wanted for free energy to all!
TESLA RULES!!
diego says on January 6th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
The smarter you are, the more you know Tesla had the genius Edison feigned to those who were too unaware to distinguish between Intelligently Applicable (Edison) and True Genius (Tesla).
Tesla will inspire real thought for all time.
Edison will inspire self-interested capitalism at the cost of real progress.
Kassahun Mammo says on January 15th, 2009 at 5:18 am
My Dear
N.Tesela is wider in his innovation and had contributed ahead of his time innovation than T Edson did. The other amazing issue is why Tesela is coverd by Edson in research and pedagogical text ? I thought that there must be some vegues beyond , but we the benifciry of Tesela mind thanks HIM. But it doent mean Edson is xyz………, he is equally important for current global civilazation
Kassahun Mammo
Ethiopia
Niko says on January 21st, 2009 at 7:57 am
first and foremost… Nikola Tesla was from LIKA.. He was a Croatian. His father was a serb and his mother was a hrvat… but while in croatia and even while in new york he always considered himself a croat and associated himself with croats.. this i know because my grandparents came to this country from croatia as well.. the used to associate with the man.. they attended his funeral and we’re good friends with the man who paid for Tesla’s funeral.
Secondly.. Thomas Edison did nothing for the world that wouldn’t have been accomplished anyway. All he did was reproduce and distribute other peoples ideas and inventions for a fee. He was the biggest crook the world has seen.. Why do you think they call his company CONedison .. cause he was a CON..
And to those of you who call Nikola Tesla a thief.. ur crazy.. either that or u have a controlling interest in GE…
What nikola tesla did was try to give the world free wireless energy.. not just to those who could cough up a coin. Now, he couldn’t come right out and say Im building a tower with your money thats gonna give everyone free electricity.. especially if that money is made by charging for electricity.. . Do you think BIG BUSINESS would have let him introduce such a an accomplishment to the world??? it would be like bill gates making Windows open source.. you think Microsoft would let him do that?!?!?! Nikola Tesla was a modern day robin hood. My grandparents and many others always say that Nikola Tesla disliked women who wore pearls and all the glitz and glam.. he was a simple man and money held no value to him.
Tesla has many inventions that we still use and even more that we still dont know how to use. Many of his inventions could probably fix a lot of the problems we have today. but just like with every other crooked business.. why make a problem go away when you can keep charging them to fix it.. so basically everything that nikola tesla invented is under wraps.. I would bet the house that in that little area know as AREA51 they’re probably working with his technologies or trying to get them to work anyway..
how about the ray he shot off into the air from new york that hit russia and scortched the earth moments later.. I think they are still trying to cover it up..
and then you still have TeslaMotors.. purely electric cars that go from 0-200 in like 3 seconds.. now if he had been allowed to finish the Wardenclyffe Tower maybe today we would be driving purely electric cars that recharged constantly and wirelessly… thus eliminating tons of polution.. etc… if he had been taken more seriously we in all seriousness could probably have been living a Star Trek type of life…
hell.. i even heard that he invented a machine that produces artifical atmospheres.. imagine colonizing the moon or mars with his inventions ???????
hayley says on February 5th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
i have a problem with the paragraph that says edison invented DC actually that was invented by tesla when he was working for Edison. so infact Tesla Create DC, AC, and Wireless current.
hayley says on February 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Also who cares if Tesla didn’t get enough patents. He was proably afraid of getting screwed over again and not getting payed. after he worked of Edison, Tesla got a job digging ditchs. Edison made threats on him about going back in to science so selling his patents was proably the best solution in his mind. And those of you who find Edison inspertational, maybe you should do some reaseach about who really created those genius things you idolize. Chances are that they came from the mind of one of his under payed workers.
dilara says on February 18th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
bence edison tam bir sahtekar. çünkü ampulü asıl nikola tesla buldu ama herkes ampulü thomas edison un bulduğunu sanıyor.
Titan says on February 26th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Tesla is the Greatest Genius! I know of many geniuses that have lived,but none compare to the works of an unknown Nikola Tesla.His inventions are a reality today,and will be for many years.Some of his inventions are A/C Polyphase System,Radio,Remote control,X-Ray,Fluorescent lights,Microwave,Robotics,Logic Gate(computers)Tesla coil(television),Etc,etc,etc.Just see his lifes work to understand his Genius.The very principle of your mobile you use today is based on his wireless discoveries.
Now lets look at what actually exists in the world as in “inventions”?Ask yourself what is the most amazing invention of the world?Not just theories and nonesense,but actual theories that have lead to something amazing?Lets first look at Da Vinci.Sure he was interested in many things,and had many ideas,but nothing of any use today that would amaze me.His drawings of aeroplanes were like the ones you see in old films,where they resemble flapping wings.Practically they just couldn’t fly.Now for Newton,what did he invent?His idea that what goes up must come down?Gravity?Where is the genius in that?Did you know that even his theory on Gravity cannot be proved.Thats all it is an idea,but has no explanation in the way it works.He has proved nothing with his Gravity theory!
Great genius is from those,where ones theory leads to creation!
There is no genius in an idea that doesn’t work,or something that has not been explained and put to use as Newtons gravity theory.
So tell me what did Newtons theory lead to?What did he create?
The theory of gravity is still not understood!
Now ask yourself what is the most amazing invention of the world?I would say that 8 out of 10,whatever you choose as some great invention that is in existence,some part of Tesla would have to be there!
That’s why I have chosen Tesla.
Da Vinci? Hmmm, What did he invent? Fantasies in his brain?
And Edison?
Well his inventions today are obsolete,primative contraptions!
anon coward says on April 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Here is some interesting information about Tesla from http://proliberty.com/observer/20070405.htm.
(Deathbed confessions, photos support claims that George H. Scherf(f), Jr., was the 41st U.S. president)
The part about Tesla is about 1/5 of the way from the top of the page.
Ethos says on April 24th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Geez I hope whomever wrote this biased article, will do their homework next time.
Marc Murphy says on May 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I’m a fan of both great men! Edison was a great ‘producer’ and Tesla was pure genius. I designed shirts to honor both men.
http://www.printfection.com/mu....._p_3824356
http://www.printfection.com/mu....._p_3829374
FreeThinking101 says on May 26th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Time will give Nikola Telsa credit for everything that he helped create with his ideas. One idea of his is starting to come to light…his Wireless Electricity is now being put in the news and I guess someone figured out a way to measure it so they can profit. Look up wireless electricity on wikipedia and his name is all over it
Imagine a world if JP Morgan let Tesla use his money to fund his projects? In the 100 years that we are now after his inventions do you think we would have been traveling in outer space? It sucks not having the creator of the invention alive witnessing and perfecting his creations and ideas. Im jealous not being able to know 100 years from now in which should have been my life time, and see such technologies progess…
Openminded75 says on May 29th, 2009 at 8:01 am
As mentioned by others here there are many inventions of Tesla that are still not understood or known to the general public. Isn’t it weird that Roswell happened the same year that Tesla died…were his notes stolen by our government and tested with a crash as a result? Makes you think. Telsa became an American citizen at age 28. He tried to give his ideas to our government but was turned away many times, until the day of his death and then the government stole his ideas. Some were given back to his nephew but many were not. Tesla was awarded by congress in 1992 as the inventor of radio (Marconi briefly worked with him and used Tesla ideas and patent). The Manhattan Project was based off of Tesla tech. Teleportation is Tesla tech. Even time machine type stuff. How do we know that all of our weather changes and troubles are not because of government messing with weather control (also Tesla tech)? I think Tesla stated it best…’Science is but a perversion of itself unless it has as it’s ultimate goal the betterment of humanity’ - Nikola Tesla 1919. Many of his known and unknown ideas are used for profit and power. Mind control, weather control, power control, radio control, remote control etc. If we could live in a Tesla world we would have few if any worries. Free power, free energy, free travel, purification of the body, if there still were weapons a Tesla shield would protect… so many things that the general public does not know. Makes me sad, but posts from people like us that spread his spirit and ideas on will never let him die. We are still learning and gaining from his ideas! Just hope that they too do not turn for profit and suppression! Telsa in his end days was obsessed with the number 3, which if you are into numerology would know that 3 is very important as it adds up to and goes into many numbers such as 9 which is the highest number! Most people think that Tesla was a bit of a crackpot, and even to this day when one does not understand another’s far out ideas they are labeled crazy. Funny thing is they are most not crazy just more visionary, analytical, open minded, and more in tune with cosmic reality!
Gordon S. says on June 7th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I’m a product of the Canadian school system. I’m 45 now, but when I went to school, I don’t remember ever hearing ANYTHING about Tesla (or even his name).
The teachers might have mentioned his name, but maybe in a passing, minor way. I don’t think they even mentioned him at all though.
Everything was about Thomas Edison as far as electricity goes.
The first time I ever heard of Nikola Tesla was on Coast to Coast AM (George Noory). When I heard his name, I thought it was some obscure thing, not a legitimate person who did contribute many great inventions.
I don’t know the reason why Tesla is left out of the schoolbooks, but he was not a native American, he was born in the modern area of Croatia.
Could it be that the American (and Canadian) textbooks only mention Edison because he is an American (born in the US), whereas Tesla was not? Just a thought.
Dave MacPhee says on June 26th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
It is strange how I can feel such a strong dislike for someone that lived so long ago.
My work over the last 35 years makes me identify with the work ethic of Tesla.
Tesla did not like getting ripped off but knew himself to always have something better coming so he let it go. Unfortunately, that does not solve anything. The problem will just keep happening and he keeps getting robbed of any credit or gain.
So it’s back to the drawing board again with something different, a new project. A Vicious circle. No time to fight. Too busy concentrating on creating and maintaining focus on that creation. Can’t afford distractions. Work until he drops.
Then you have these people looking in and making all these promises.
That’s why I hate Edison. I have worked for plenty like him. They are rich now and I can’t go any more. I have nasty names for people like him that don’t belong in a nice place like this.