Nikola Tesla was without a doubt, one of the most brilliant and most important men to ever walk the earth. He made some of the most scientific advancements in history and the world would surely be a much less advanced place without his mind. He invented the alternating current, for goodness sake.

Strangely, Nikola Tesla seems to fall through the cracks in popular history, seemingly being “outshined” by inventors and scientists like Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein. And while these were also brilliant men, Tesla is certainly not a name to forget

According to Wikipedia, “There are a minimum of 278 patents issued to Tesla in 26 countries that have been accounted for. Many of Tesla’s patents were in the United States, Britain, and Canada, but many other patents were approved in countries around the globe. Many inventions developed by Tesla were not put into patent protection.”



Let’s take a look at some of the most noteworthy inventions Nikola Tesla gave the world.

1. Robotics

That’s right, robotics. Tesla had a vision of the future that looks very similar to modern day. He believed that in the future, normal labor would be performed by robotic devices and the world would be essentially powered by smart technology.

In 1898, Tesla demonstrated use of his newest invention: the remote controlled boat. Many consider this to be the birth of robotics. 100 years later, these same principles were applied to “Sojourner”, the NASA Explorer-Robot that reached Mars on July 4, 1997.

To think: remote-controlled space exploration started with a small remote-controlled boat.

2. Death Ray

Thankfully not all of Tesla’s inventions were ever constructed, unless our government has something to hide. In 2014, the navy release a “Laser Weapon System” (aka “Star Wars”). In the 1930’s Tesla had invented a weapon that worked as a particle beam. Theoretically, the device would generate concentrated beams of energy powerful enough to obliterate anything in its path. Essentially a quasar in a cannon.

Tesla reportedly pitched his invention to the military a few times, but nobody would bite. The plans for the death beam were never recovered after his death. Some say the U.S. Military did get involved and conducted secret testing. In terms of science and information, it’s a bit of a bummer. But in the name of humanity, thank God this invention has not surfaced yet or is in practice. Unless of course an evil alien race attempts to conquer Earth and the only way we can beat them is with a giant death beam. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

3. Wireless Energy Transfer

Imagine being able to charge your phone, laptop, power your lights, appliances, cars, etc. without cables and wires. It almost seems too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not, and the technology is actually about 120 years old.

In 1893 at the World Fair in Chicago, Tesla demonstrated what he called electrodynamic induction. This new method was used to power several phosphorus light bulbs completely wirelessly. IN 1893! And I’m supposed to be impressed by a charging pad that came out in 2012?

4. Earthquake Machine

This one, I think, is the most interesting invention on this list. It’s exactly what it sounds like; an earthquake machine. Tesla claimed in 1898 that he built a small oscillating device that though only a few pounds nearly shook down his office building when it was deployed. The tremors allegedly caused disturbances in surrounding buildings and police were eventually sent out to investigate. Tesla destroyed in with a sledgehammer to disable it. Mythbusters supposedly proved this to be false, though the day I credit some jerks on a reality TV show more than I credit Nikola Tesla will be the day I grow a set of wings.

5. Electric Motor

With his discovery of the rotating magnetic field in 1882, Tesla unveiled the electric motor to the world. This was, without a doubt, one of the most significant findings in motor technology as it fueled an industrial revolution at the turn of the 20th century. However his design wasn’t integrated into the auto market until the conception of Tesla Motors in 2003. Over 100 years. Wow.

6. Free Energy

The contributions this man made to the advancement of human technology is beyond thanks. His work and legacy embody the possibilities that are created when vision meets intellect. But one idea he had perfectly embodies the visionary he was: free energy. Nikola Tesla believed that an unlimited energy could be harnessed from the air around us using radiant energy receivers. Along with his invention of wireless energy transfer, his vision was to build towers that harnessed and distributed free unlimited energy to the world through the air. This mix of genius and benevolence is the very essence of what Tesla’s mind had to offer.

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