Chapter 1: The Enigmatic Genius

Nikola Tesla, often hailed as a trailblazer in modern physics, was not fully recognized for his groundbreaking inventions that reshaped the world. This lack of acknowledgment persisted throughout his life. Tesla was a remarkable intellect—an innovator whose vision extended well beyond his era.

In June 1884, the tall, dark-haired Serbian embarked on a journey to America, aspiring to achieve greatness. From a young age, he displayed a deep fascination with mathematics and engineering, despite leaving Graz University of Technology in Austria before completing his studies.

What led to the neglect of his extraordinary contributions? Here’s what you might be missing.

During the early stages of his independent career, Tesla's work on alternating current (AC) gained traction among New Yorkers. However, his rival, Thomas Edison, promoted direct current (DC) and attempted to discredit AC by electrocuting animals. This event marked the infamous "War of Currents," representing a significant hurdle for Tesla.

Tesla was the first to harness the power of Niagara Falls for a hydroelectric power plant and designed a device that could purify the human body using only electricity. He even generated a 13-foot bolt of lightning from one of his colossal coils, a feat that remains unmatched in the realm of human-made lightning.

One of his most renowned inventions is the Tesla coil. In an incredible display of his abilities, Tesla once triggered an earthquake in New York, nearly decimating Fifth Avenue, where his laboratory was located!

Later, he built the "Wardenclyffe Tower," a 57-meter structure intended to enable wireless communication across the Atlantic. This ambitious project aimed to provide free energy to the entire planet. Tesla sought funding from J.P. Morgan, but when Morgan realized the project wouldn’t yield immediate profits, he withdrew his support, marking the first of several psychological setbacks for Tesla.

Subsequently, Tesla proposed the concept of a "death beam," designed to foster global peace and ultimately eliminate warfare, though it never materialized, and the details remain shrouded in mystery.

Another blow came when Guglielmo Marconi received credit for transmitting wireless signals across the Atlantic, a feat Tesla felt should have been his. This event contributed to Tesla's declining mental health, eventually leading to a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Tesla passed away on January 7, 1943, at the age of 86 in his New York hotel room. Throughout his life, he kept most of his work shrouded in secrecy. Following his death, the FBI and CIA seized much of his research, vowing to return it to Serbia, though the outcome remains uncertain.

Today, elements of his work are reportedly being explored at a top-secret facility known as HAARP in Alaska, where scientists delve into his lifelong projects in an effort to comprehend his visionary ideas.

Interestingly, Tesla finally received recognition for his contributions to wireless communication posthumously. Throughout his life, he maintained rivalries with both Marconi and Edison, and was a devoted reader of Mark Twain. If that doesn’t qualify him as a badass, what does?

Section 1.1: The War of Currents

Tesla's rivalry with Edison, often characterized as the "War of Currents," highlighted the fierce competition between AC and DC technologies.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Tesla Coil

Chapter 2: The Badass Legacy of Nikola Tesla

The first video explores the question, "Who Is the Most Badass Person in History?" and delves into Tesla's exceptional contributions alongside other historical figures.

The second video, "5 Most Badass People Of All Time," highlights individuals who, like Tesla, made significant impacts on the world.