After college while working in Paris for the Continental Edison Company, Tesla invented and constructed the first induction motor through a priciple he had visualized, of a rotating magnetic field. He moved to the United States in 1891 and worked with Thomas Edison, his childhood hero, unfortunately Edison and Tesla differed on the major topic of direct current versus alternating current.
Nikola patented more than 100 inventions, and registered over 700 patents, most of them concerned with:
- electric power transmission systems
- dynamos and motors
- high frequency currents
- and radio.
http://davidszondy.com/future/tesla/twophase.jpg
After developing alternating current, Tesla designed a Hydroelectric power plant to be used to harness the power of Niagra Falls. Not only was this the tipping point for the widespread use of AC versus DC, it was also a childhood dream of Tesla's that he saw fulfilled.
http://www.teslasociety.com/pictures/tfalls.jpg
His ultimate project , funded by J. P. Morgan, was to be The Wardenclyffe Tower. The idea behind the tower was to broadcast messages, pictures, weather reports, and stock reports worldwide. Tesla had also hoped to use the facility to demonstrate his ability to power lights and appliances from a wireless source. Unfortunately Tesla wanted to build a more powerful transmitter and was denied the additional funds when he asked Morgan. Eventually the tower was torn down, and never got to see its full potential.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Tesla_Broadcast_Tower_1904.jpeg