Nikola Tesla, often called the Serbian Genius, began his life across the sea. In a bout of horrible sickness, he told his dad, who was intent upon a church career for the boy, that perhaps he might recover if he could take up engineering as a trade. Already rebelling against his family's expectations in so many ways, he recovered and set out for engineering school. Before many years had passed he was in America, working for Edison, and inventing some of the most influential electronic devices of all time. But, he was hardly successful; forced always to stay on somebody else's tab at the hotel where he lived, unable to pay the rent of his laboratory most months. Even his novelist friend Mark Twain was more successful than him. He had been scammed by Edison on multiple occasions, as Edison offered Tesla $500 to do a task once, a small fortune in the days dollars, and once Tesla completed the task he left empty-handed. The Wizard of Westinghouse's only reply was that "[Tesla doesn't] understand american humour.
His career was difficult despite his brilliance. He invented AC current, the method by which every house in America is powered, but could hardly advocate it. Edison used his important positions to ensure Tesla's AC was associated with electric chairs, while Edison's electricity was associated with light and music. Tesla died unable to pay his rent, his laboratory has almost been turned into industrial land on several occasions; spared only by generous fans who see him as a hero in hindsight. Such is the curse; those who defy America and its status-quo are oft punished, and are unable to succeed financially.
His career was difficult despite his brilliance. He invented AC current, the method by which every house in America is powered, but could hardly advocate it. Edison used his important positions to ensure Tesla's AC was associated with electric chairs, while Edison's electricity was associated with light and music. Tesla died unable to pay his rent, his laboratory has almost been turned into industrial land on several occasions; spared only by generous fans who see him as a hero in hindsight. Such is the curse; those who defy America and its status-quo are oft punished, and are unable to succeed financially.