Nikola Tesla

This BBC Radio 4 podcast episode of "In Our Time" discusses the life and work of Nikola Tesla, focusing on his contributions to the electrification of America and the world. The panel explores Tesla's early life and education in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, his rivalry with Edison over AC versus DC power, his invention of the AC motor, and his showmanship in promoting his ideas. The discussion also covers Tesla's relationship with Westinghouse, his later ventures into wireless power transmission, and his eventual financial struggles and eccentricities, ultimately examining his legacy as a visionary inventor and a symbol of the misunderstood genius. The bonus segment delves into the confected rivalry between Tesla and Edison, Tesla's status as a European migrant, and the lack of institutional support for scientists like Tesla at the time.