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The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works
Who was Nikola Tesla? Find out in this comprehensive volume that includes Tesla’s autobiography and scientific writings, as well as other works that examine his life and career in detail.
Nikola Tesla came from a humble upbringing in what is now Croatia and reached the heights of science and technology in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works gives readers a compelling insight into the man whose ideas revolutionized the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering, and who continues to be a source of inspiration for modern inventors. This volume includes Tesla’s autobiography My Inventions (1919), articles and diagrams that he published in scientific magazines—including “The Problem of Increasing Human Energy,” in which he discusses the potential of solar power—and Thomas Commerford Martin’s The Inventions, Researches, and Writings of Nikola Tesla . A scholarly introduction examines Tesla’s life and career, and the impact that he has had on generations of inventors up to the present day.
Nikola Tesla came from a humble upbringing in what is now Croatia and reached the heights of science and technology in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works gives readers a compelling insight into the man whose ideas revolutionized the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering, and who continues to be a source of inspiration for modern inventors. This volume includes Tesla’s autobiography My Inventions (1919), articles and diagrams that he published in scientific magazines—including “The Problem of Increasing Human Energy,” in which he discusses the potential of solar power—and Thomas Commerford Martin’s The Inventions, Researches, and Writings of Nikola Tesla . A scholarly introduction examines Tesla’s life and career, and the impact that he has had on generations of inventors up to the present day.
768 pages, Leather Bound
Published December 21, 2021
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213 people want to read
About the author
Nikola Tesla
364 books1,429 followersNikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist. He is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.
Born and raised in the Austrian Empire, Tesla first studied engineering and physics in the 1870s without receiving a degree. He then gained practical experience in the early 1880s working in telephony and at Continental Edison in the new electric power industry. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen. He worked for a short time at the Edison Machine Works in New York City before he struck out on his own. With the help of partners to finance and market his ideas, Tesla set up laboratories and companies in New York to develop a range of electrical and mechanical devices. His AC induction motor and related polyphase AC patents, licensed by Westinghouse Electric in 1888, earned him a considerable amount of money and became the cornerstone of the polyphase system which that company eventually marketed.
Attempting to develop inventions he could patent and market, Tesla conducted a range of experiments with mechanical oscillators/generators, electrical discharge tubes, and early X-ray imaging. He also built a wirelessly controlled boat, one of the first ever exhibited. Tesla became well known as an inventor and demonstrated his achievements to celebrities and wealthy patrons at his lab, and was noted for his showmanship at public lectures. Throughout the 1890s, Tesla pursued his ideas for wireless lighting and worldwide wireless electric power distribution in his high-voltage, high-frequency power experiments in New York and Colorado Springs. In 1893, he made pronouncements on the possibility of wireless communication with his devices. Tesla tried to put these ideas to practical use in his unfinished Wardenclyffe Tower project, an intercontinental wireless communication and power transmitter, but ran out of funding before he could complete it.
After Wardenclyffe, Tesla experimented with a series of inventions in the 1910s and 1920s with varying degrees of success. Having spent most of his money, Tesla lived in a series of New York hotels, leaving behind unpaid bills. He died in New York City in January 1943. Tesla's work fell into relative obscurity following his death, until 1960, when the General Conference on Weights and Measures named the International System of Units (SI) measurement of magnetic flux density the tesla in his honor. There has been a resurgence in popular interest in Tesla since the 1990s.
Born and raised in the Austrian Empire, Tesla first studied engineering and physics in the 1870s without receiving a degree. He then gained practical experience in the early 1880s working in telephony and at Continental Edison in the new electric power industry. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen. He worked for a short time at the Edison Machine Works in New York City before he struck out on his own. With the help of partners to finance and market his ideas, Tesla set up laboratories and companies in New York to develop a range of electrical and mechanical devices. His AC induction motor and related polyphase AC patents, licensed by Westinghouse Electric in 1888, earned him a considerable amount of money and became the cornerstone of the polyphase system which that company eventually marketed.
Attempting to develop inventions he could patent and market, Tesla conducted a range of experiments with mechanical oscillators/generators, electrical discharge tubes, and early X-ray imaging. He also built a wirelessly controlled boat, one of the first ever exhibited. Tesla became well known as an inventor and demonstrated his achievements to celebrities and wealthy patrons at his lab, and was noted for his showmanship at public lectures. Throughout the 1890s, Tesla pursued his ideas for wireless lighting and worldwide wireless electric power distribution in his high-voltage, high-frequency power experiments in New York and Colorado Springs. In 1893, he made pronouncements on the possibility of wireless communication with his devices. Tesla tried to put these ideas to practical use in his unfinished Wardenclyffe Tower project, an intercontinental wireless communication and power transmitter, but ran out of funding before he could complete it.
After Wardenclyffe, Tesla experimented with a series of inventions in the 1910s and 1920s with varying degrees of success. Having spent most of his money, Tesla lived in a series of New York hotels, leaving behind unpaid bills. He died in New York City in January 1943. Tesla's work fell into relative obscurity following his death, until 1960, when the General Conference on Weights and Measures named the International System of Units (SI) measurement of magnetic flux density the tesla in his honor. There has been a resurgence in popular interest in Tesla since the 1990s.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 19, 2023
Ideal for those learning basic hypothesis on his antiquated technology.
Otherwise, I found this book extremely boring. Tesla’s take in “humanistic terms” about certain theorems, his journey, associations, and metaphysical speculation are somewhat refreshing.
His detail description on old technology is mundane. A visit to the dentist would be more refreshing; hence reading about specific details in old electronics is like dancing to the sight of a building without music.
One thing comes to mind; we owe every technological advancement to this man. His stolen technology was eventually implemented in all areas of the scientific and social community.
The men and existing corporations stemming from the oppression and theft of this individual’s work should cease to exist.
Otherwise; bring a pillow and rest plenty before reading this book. Nothing impressive here.
Otherwise, I found this book extremely boring. Tesla’s take in “humanistic terms” about certain theorems, his journey, associations, and metaphysical speculation are somewhat refreshing.
His detail description on old technology is mundane. A visit to the dentist would be more refreshing; hence reading about specific details in old electronics is like dancing to the sight of a building without music.
One thing comes to mind; we owe every technological advancement to this man. His stolen technology was eventually implemented in all areas of the scientific and social community.
The men and existing corporations stemming from the oppression and theft of this individual’s work should cease to exist.
Otherwise; bring a pillow and rest plenty before reading this book. Nothing impressive here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2025
Picked up a cheapie paperback of about 100 pages of Tesla's writing about his childhood and pre World War inventions. Probably not this edition.
Tesla comes off as very, very eccentric. Not a great introduction to this key figure in technology
Tesla comes off as very, very eccentric. Not a great introduction to this key figure in technology
April 15, 2023
two mediums and a year and a half later (:
May 25, 2023
I love how detailed this book is. The words are not small and can be easily read. LOVE the leather bound cover. 555/5 ⭐️
January 11, 2024
Learning about the lofe of Nikola Tesla was interesting as well as learning about his inventions
April 29, 2024
A highly underrated autobiography of Nikola Tesla. Its explains the struggles, health, and inventions/ideas of a genius man.
February 8, 2022
Let there be light (electric, that is)
August 19, 2024
Genius and visionary who was a century ahead of his time, Tesla’s inventions and concepts have molded our society. Conceptualized during the late 1800s, Tesla speaks of wireless communication, remote control, and concepts we have yet to understand.
His actual autobiography constitutes only a small portion of the book and gives the reader insight into his life and his incredible thought process. The majority of “The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works” are his nicely illustrated writings and papers, essentially autobiographical but in a different sense of the word.
Tesla’s autobiography is probably more appreciated by science-minded readers, as he goes into detail on his inventions. For me, “The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works” fully satisfied my inquisitive lustfulness. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to delve into the mind of a genius.
His actual autobiography constitutes only a small portion of the book and gives the reader insight into his life and his incredible thought process. The majority of “The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works” are his nicely illustrated writings and papers, essentially autobiographical but in a different sense of the word.
Tesla’s autobiography is probably more appreciated by science-minded readers, as he goes into detail on his inventions. For me, “The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla and Other Works” fully satisfied my inquisitive lustfulness. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to delve into the mind of a genius.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews