Tesla’s Letter to “Marquis Co”: No Honors, Only Pure Science
In a letter to Marquis Co dated November 9, 1939, responding to their request for details for the encyclopedia Who’s Who in America, Tesla expressed his humility and focus on the essence of his work:
‘’Gentlemen,
…I understand you want me to furnish a list of degrees and distinctions received. This is hardly possible for you would have to print several columns to enumerate all. I am still getting new ones, probably not because I deserve them but on account of my age. Be that as it may it does not seem to me important to dwell extensively on this matter. Why not simplify and have a sketch without the slightest reference to my honors and distinctions? In fact, this is just what I would like. It Is also my intention to reduce the introductory part to a minimum. merely stating that I was born exactly at midnight, July 9th to 10th, and confining myself to a few indispensable remarks about my family. Furthermore, I would leave out the detailed account of my education. It is sufficient to say that I followed curse on technical institutions and anis universities specializing in mechanical science, physics, mathematics and electricity. In this way all the space you can give me could be devoted to an account of discoveries and inventions up to now which, both in regard to dates and subjects, should be precise…
Nikola Tesla’’
Tesla on His Life for the Encyclopedia
Following Tesla’s instructions, Who’s Who in America published a concise account of his life, highlighting his origins and contributions:
‘’Nikola Tesla was born at the stroke of midnight July 9-10th, 1856, in Smiljan (place of exquisite flowers), a little village of Yugoslavia. His father, Milutin Testa, was a distinguished clergyman, a man of great erudition, poet and orator. His mother, Georgina Mandic, came from the very oldest family in the land and a long line of inventors. She devised and constructed herself numerous useful appliances and performed all sorts of work in which she displayed extraordinary skill and the diligence of an ant. Both of Nikolas’ parents as well other members of his family were gifted with phenomenal memories. Stimulated by his mother he began to emulate her almost in childhood. His first boyish triumph was achieved when at the age of six, he managed to put in operation a new fire engine after futile efforts of the expert attendants. Most of his early life outside of school was passed in tinkering or ruminating in the voluminous libraries of his father and his uncle, the Metropolitan Nikola. Seventeen years were devoted to intense study at various European institutions of learning the chief subjects in the advanced courses being mathematics, physics, electricity, mechanics and philosophical science. Incidentally, he acquired the knowledge of a dozen languages. In 1884 he came to this country where he became a citizen in 1889 and has since permanently resided. He was always, and is now, engaged in independent experimental research.
The inventions and discoveries of Nikola Tesla have made so profound and many sided an impression on the technical arts and sciences that they are without parallel in the annals. More than a hundred words and phrases have been coined in recognition of the originality and importance of his creations. Stated in chronological order the most important among these are the following:
The rotating field, induction motor and alternating system of power transmission 1882-1888;
Tesla coil and oscillation transformer 1889-1692;
Researches and experiments with currents of high frequency 1889-1893;
Researches and experiments with tuned high frequency circuits 1891s1893;
Electron tubes 1892-1893; high potential apparatus 1893-1996;
Discovery of cosmic rays 1896;
Testa theory of, radioactivity 1896-1898;
High potential vacuum tubes 1896-1898;
Methods of and apparatus for regulation and control of tuned circuits 1896-1897;
Art of Teleautomatics 1897-1899,
Art of individualization 1898-1903;
Discovery of terrestrial resonance and law of propagation of conduction currents through the globe 1899;
High potential wireless power transmitter 1899;
Experiments with artificial lightning 1899;
Methods of and apparatus for receiving and amplifying;
Effects transmitted through the natural media 1903-1905;
Art of transmitting energy by stationary terrestrial waves 1906;
Wireless world system 1906-1919;
Magnifying transmitter for production of transcending potentials 1914;
Speedometers on new principles;
Unfailing means for lightning protection;
A high speed aero plane capable of rising vertically and hovering in the air;
Types of steam and gas turbines;
Pressure and vacuum pumps and other apparatus 1916-1926.
Due to unfavorable circumstances some of Mr. Tesla’s best results have not yet been announced. Among these are original discoveries in molecular physics and a new process for refining, purifying and cheapening steel, coper, aluminum and other metals. But far more important than all these are certain discoveries relating to a new form of energy available everywhere which he has promised to reveal in the near future.’’
Who Was Nikola Tesla – Nikola Tesla’s Self-Perception
Tesla’s Letter to “Marquis Co”: No Honors, Only Pure Science
In a letter to Marquis Co dated November 9, 1939, responding to their request for details for the encyclopedia Who’s Who in America, Tesla expressed his humility and focus on the essence of his work:
‘’Gentlemen,
…I understand you want me to furnish a list of degrees and distinctions received. This is hardly possible for you would have to print several columns to enumerate all. I am still getting new ones, probably not because I deserve them but on account of my age. Be that as it may it does not seem to me important to dwell extensively on this matter. Why not simplify and have a sketch without the slightest reference to my honors and distinctions? In fact, this is just what I would like. It Is also my intention to reduce the introductory part to a minimum. merely stating that I was born exactly at midnight, July 9th to 10th, and confining myself to a few indispensable remarks about my family. Furthermore, I would leave out the detailed account of my education. It is sufficient to say that I followed curse on technical institutions and anis universities specializing in mechanical science, physics, mathematics and electricity. In this way all the space you can give me could be devoted to an account of discoveries and inventions up to now which, both in regard to dates and subjects, should be precise…
Nikola Tesla’’
Tesla on His Life for the Encyclopedia
Following Tesla’s instructions, Who’s Who in America published a concise account of his life, highlighting his origins and contributions:
‘’Nikola Tesla was born at the stroke of midnight July 9-10th, 1856, in Smiljan (place of exquisite flowers), a little village of Yugoslavia. His father, Milutin Testa, was a distinguished clergyman, a man of great erudition, poet and orator. His mother, Georgina Mandic, came from the very oldest family in the land and a long line of inventors. She devised and constructed herself numerous useful appliances and performed all sorts of work in which she displayed extraordinary skill and the diligence of an ant. Both of Nikolas’ parents as well other members of his family were gifted with phenomenal memories. Stimulated by his mother he began to emulate her almost in childhood. His first boyish triumph was achieved when at the age of six, he managed to put in operation a new fire engine after futile efforts of the expert attendants. Most of his early life outside of school was passed in tinkering or ruminating in the voluminous libraries of his father and his uncle, the Metropolitan Nikola. Seventeen years were devoted to intense study at various European institutions of learning the chief subjects in the advanced courses being mathematics, physics, electricity, mechanics and philosophical science. Incidentally, he acquired the knowledge of a dozen languages. In 1884 he came to this country where he became a citizen in 1889 and has since permanently resided. He was always, and is now, engaged in independent experimental research.
The inventions and discoveries of Nikola Tesla have made so profound and many sided an impression on the technical arts and sciences that they are without parallel in the annals. More than a hundred words and phrases have been coined in recognition of the originality and importance of his creations. Stated in chronological order the most important among these are the following:
The rotating field, induction motor and alternating system of power transmission 1882-1888;
Tesla coil and oscillation transformer 1889-1692;
Researches and experiments with currents of high frequency 1889-1893;
Electro mechanical isochronous oscillators 1890-1892;
Testa Wireless System 1891-1893;
Researches and experiments with tuned high frequency circuits 1891s1893;
Electron tubes 1892-1893; high potential apparatus 1893-1996;
Discovery of cosmic rays 1896;
Testa theory of, radioactivity 1896-1898;
High potential vacuum tubes 1896-1898;
Methods of and apparatus for regulation and control of tuned circuits 1896-1897;
Art of Teleautomatics 1897-1899,
Art of individualization 1898-1903;
Discovery of terrestrial resonance and law of propagation of conduction currents through the globe 1899;
High potential wireless power transmitter 1899;
Experiments with artificial lightning 1899;
Methods of and apparatus for receiving and amplifying;
Effects transmitted through the natural media 1903-1905;
Art of transmitting energy by stationary terrestrial waves 1906;
Wireless world system 1906-1919;
Magnifying transmitter for production of transcending potentials 1914;
Speedometers on new principles;
Unfailing means for lightning protection;
A high speed aero plane capable of rising vertically and hovering in the air;
Types of steam and gas turbines;
Pressure and vacuum pumps and other apparatus 1916-1926.
Due to unfavorable circumstances some of Mr. Tesla’s best results have not yet been announced. Among these are original discoveries in molecular physics and a new process for refining, purifying and cheapening steel, coper, aluminum and other metals. But far more important than all these are certain discoveries relating to a new form of energy available everywhere which he has promised to reveal in the near future.’’