The Journey to America
(Photo by Jacques Boyer/Roger Viollet/Getty Images)
During a sunset troll in 1882, Tesla suddenly had a vision of the design of a functional alternating current motor. He tried to pitch the idea unsuccessfully. After he failed to secure the production of his induction motor in France and Germany, he sought to meet the only man he believed could help him; Thomas Edison. Edison was a successful businessman who had invented the incandescent light bulb and the phonograph. His nickname was ‘The Wizard of Menlo Park.’ The 28-year old Tesla set up on a trip to America. He experienced misfortunes along the way, including loss of his money and tickets, and even came close to losing his life. On June 6, 1884, he arrived in New York to meet Edison, armed with four cents, poems and big dreams. He also had a recommendation letter from an associate of Edison. Nikola could not wait to demonstrate to Edison how his alternating current motor invention operated.