On Nikola Tesla
One of the greatest, and yet less understood, inventors of all times was Nikola Tesla. I recently finished reading his Autobiography, aptly titled ‘My Inventions’. Not a particularly well written piece owing to his various distractions while writing, and a rather abrupt ending, the work certainly offers a peep into the mind and working of this great inventor — inventor, and not necessarily an ‘innovator’, for his always placed creation over commercialization, a mistake well averted by the great Thomas Edison.
Some of the most fundamental inventions of Tesla include Tesla coil, three-phase induction motor, Tesla turbine, and wireless lighting, among others.
In his autobiography, Tesla narrates his childhood events that classified him as a tinkerer, curious kid, and his often reckless behavior, even as a grown up. Of all the people, Tesla’s mother, an inventor herself, shaped her self confidence and scientific quest.
Tesla admits of a very peculiar pattern of thinking where when a word was spoken to him the image of the complete object it designated would present itself vividly to his vision. He attributes most of his scientific inventions and technical contraptions to this ability of his where he didn’t have to do much of an experimentation and ideas came out fully formed, and almost always working.
Though he remained a spiritual person (there are several references to it in the text), but you can’t miss more than a hint of arrogance in his writing, almost bordering self righteousness. At times, Tesla talks of how his sight and hearing were extraordinary, how good he was in calculations, his impulsive nature, a finisher, and with a keen interest in physics.
The man lived for almost ninety years (1857–1943) and left a legacy on the way we live today and take so many of his inventions for granted. However, unlike Edison (ten years elder to Tesla and an arch rival), Tesla wasn’t good at documenting his thoughts and experiments, and didn’t have a battery of assistants working on his ideas. With his death, a whole lot of engineering genius was lost.
Reading the book was incisive and gives a better understanding of idiosyncrasies that define greatness. Here, I present some of the most remarkable quotes from the book.
I hope these quotes serve as a reflection to you and help gauge the limits of scientific and spiritual pursuit.
On invention/ inventors
The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention. It is the most important product of his creative brain. Its ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of forces of nature to human needs. This is the difficult task of the inventor who is often misunderstood and unrewarded. (pp.5)
An inventor’s endeavor is essentially life saving. Whether he harnesses forces, improves devices, or provides new comforts and conveniences, he is adding to the safety of our existence. He is also better qualified than the average individual to protect himself in peril, for he is observant and resourceful. (pp.27)
The meeting with Edison was a memorable event in my life. I was amazed at this wonderful man who, without early advantages and scientific training, has accomplished so much. (pp.64)
A new idea must not be judged by its immediate results. (pp.71)
The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences. (pp.74)
On thinking
When I get an idea, I start at once building it up in my imagination. I change the construction, make improvements and operate the device in my mind. In his way I am able to rapidly develop and perfect a conception without touching anything. When I have gone so far as to embody in the invention every possible improvement I can think of and see no fault anywhere, I put into concrete form this final product of my brain(pp.15)
The pressure of occupation and the incessant stream of impressions pouring into our consciousness through all the gateways of knowledge make modern existence hazardous in many ways. Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves. (pp.24)
The motors I built there (Tesla Electric Co. 1887) were exactly as I had imagined them. I made no attempt to improve the design, but merely reproduced the pictures as they appeared to my vision and the operation was always as I expected. (pp.66)
Ever since I was told by some of the greatest men of the time, leaders in science whose names are immortal, that I am possessed of an unusual mind, I bent all my thinking faculties on the solution of great problems regardless of sacrifice. (pp.106)
On spirituality
The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and if we concentrate our minds on the truth, we become in tune with this great power (pp.75)
My belief is firm in a law of compensation. The true rewards are ever in proportion to the labor and sacrifices made. (pp.91)
Considerations of mere utility weigh little in the balance against the higher benefits of civilization. We are confronted with portentous problems which can not be solved just by providing for our material existence, however abundantly. On the contrary, progress in this direction is fraught with hazards and perils not less menacing than those born from want and suffering. (pp.92)
Religious dogmas are no longer accepted in their orthodox meaning, but every individual clings to faith in a supreme power of some kind. (pp.108–109)
We all must have an ideal to govern our conduct and insure commitment, but it is immaterial whether it be one of creed, art, science, or anything else, so long as it fulfills the function of a dematerializing force. It is essential to to peaceful existence of humanity as a whole that one common conception should prevail. (p.109)