THREE SHORT STORIES ABOUT NIKOLA TESLA WHICH YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD
Compiled and edited by Dr. Majda Djordjevic
Winner of the first prize in the literary section, in the competition of
the Alberta Tesla Wave, Edmonton, March 14, 2021.
How Macak, the Cat, introduced Electricity to Tesla
Tesla had very warm memories about his childhood. His best friend was a huge cat “Macak” who followed Nikola like a dog, wherever he went. Nikola’s foe was a hostile gander, the king of the backyard. Whenever Nikola stepped into his realm, he chased him attempting to pinch his tush. Many times, Macak saved Nikola from that combative bird. During dark winter evenings, Nikola and Macak used to snuggle together by the stove. Although Nikola was only 3 years old, he was already very observant and interested in everything that was happening in nature. He told the following story about his first immediate encounter with electricity, which happened in 1859: “Now, I must tell you of a strange experience which in my later life bore the fruit. We had a cold snap, even drier than before. People walking in the snow left a luminous trail. As I stroked Macak's back, it became a sheet of light, and my hand produced a shower of sparks. My father remarked: “This is nothing but electricity, the same thing you see on the trees in a storm.” My mother seemed alarmed. She said: “Stop playing with the cat, he might start a fire.” I was thinking abstractly. Is nature a cat? If so, who strokes its back? It can only be God, I concluded. I cannot exaggerate the effect of this marvelous sight on my childish imagination. Day after day I asked myself “What is electricity?” and found no answer. Eighty years have gone by since and I still ask the same question, unable to answer it.” (1939)
That question was present all the time in Tesla’s life. As a young electrical engineer, already being aware of the enormous significance of electricity, he said: ”A day when we shall know exactly what electricity is, will chronicle an event probably greater, more important than any other recorded in the history of human race. Then it will be a mere question of time when men will succeed in attaching their machinery to the very real work of nature and see the excitement coming.” (1892)
Only 4 years later, the hydroelectric power station at Niagara Falls became operational. It was based on 13 patents, 9 of which were Tesla’s. Lord Kelvin said at its inauguration: “It is a product of unfathomable mystery of the mind”. He also said at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia: “Tesla has contributed more to electrical science than any man up to his time.” (1896)
Obsessed by Flying
Another story from Tesla’s childhood: His father was an educated man and an erudite. He possessed quite a rich home library. To Nikola, who learned to read very early, it was a treasure chest. Nikola slept 2-4 hours only and while everyone else in the family was asleep, he read book after book, by the candlelight, although his mother being afraid that it may spoil his eyesight. His favourite author was Leonardo da Vinci who, among other interests, studied birds’ wings, attempting to construct a contraption which would enable humans to fly. He also predicted a helicopter. Reading about that, Nikola became obsessed by flying. His first attempt was to jump from the barn, holding his father’s umbrella. Fortunately, the only victim of that unsuccessful but daring experiment, was the umbrella. Next, Nikola constructed a pair of wings of branches, ropes, and cardboard. His secret “workshop” was in the church tower. The first windy day was an opportunity for Nikola to try his contraption. He climbed the nearby hill, attached the wings to his shoulders and arms, and ran downhill vigorously flapping the wings. Although, he was not successful, he never abandoned that idea. The result was his group of patents pertaining to the vertical take-offand landing (VTOL) airplane (1928). Currently, such airplanes exist in the military fleets of US (V-20) and Great Britain (Harrier Jump Jet). Tesla also predicted jet aircrafts by substituting propellers with bladeless turbines, another of his patents.
Tesla and Mark Twain
Tesla had many friends in New York. Some of them were very distinguished public figures. Among them was Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), a famous writer and humourist. Tesla used to read his books as a child, admired him very much and later, in 1890 they developed a special friendship, which lasted until Twain passed on. Tesla remembered that when he contracted cholera, in 1874, he was reading the early work of Mark Twain and stated: “It was the first work of Mark Twain to which I owe the miraculous recovery that followed. It was so captivating as to make me utterly forget my hopeless state. Twenty-five years later, when I met Mr. Clemens and when we became friends, I told him about my experience and with astonishment I watched the great master of laughing, crying.”
Twain visited Tesla’s laboratory quite often and enjoyed taking part in some experiments. He said: “What a wonderful life has this man!” On one of those occasions Tesla and his assistants tested a mechanical oscillator. Twain got very interested and asked to step on its platform and experience the oscillations (vibrations). It was very exciting, and Twain urged them to increase the intensity of vibrations. Tesla, knowing that Twain had sensitive bowels, tried to talk him out of it but Twain insisted. The unpleasant consequence was that Twain had to run to the bathroom.
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There are so many stories and anecdotes from Tesla’s life, that it is very challenging to make a limited selection. Therefore, I would like to keep the readers in suspense until my next opportunity to tell them about some lesser known deeds and events from the extraordinary life of the unique genius, Nikola Tesla.