Fun Fact Fiesta Logo

13 Electrifying Fun Facts About Nikola Tesla: Uncover the Genius Behind Modern Energy

illustration of nikola-tesla
Get ready to amp up your knowledge as you enter the electrifying world of Nikola Tesla, a true powerhouse of innovation and ingenious ideas!

1. Cutting the Cord Pioneer

When Nikola Tesla wasn't busy being besties with electricity or handing out autographed lightbulbs at parties, he dreamt of cutting the cord to everyone's devices; quite literally: Tesla's revolutionary invention of wireless power transmission amazed onlookers by illuminating fluorescent bulbs from a distance of up to 40 feet way back in the 1800s, paving the way for wireless charging of today's smartphones, and electric vehicles!
Source => reddit.com

2. Obsession with the Number 3

When not busy doing the electric slide or conversing with his pigeon paramours, Tesla had an insatiable appetite for a good ol' trinity of compulsive rituals and a penchant for the pearl-averse: Nikola Tesla was obsessed with the number 3, often washing his hands and circling buildings three times, and he couldn't stand pearls, even refusing to talk to women wearing them—behavior speculated to be signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Source => britannica.com

3. Tesla's Seismic Shift

Before Sherlock Holmes even contemplated sending tremors through the criminal underworld in search of Moriarty, Nikola Tesla was already causing a seismic shift in science: He conceived the idea of using vibrations to explore the earth's subterranean structures - a device that sent waves into the ground to analyze reflections, which now serves as the foundation for modern seismology.
Source => forbes.com

4. Living Life in Divisible Harmony

Swimming in threes, dining on polished silver, and living life in divisible harmony: Nikola Tesla was a numbers enthusiast who took pleasure in routines like swimming 33 laps in a pool, circling a city block three times before entering a building, and spending the last decade of his life in the ideally numbered suite 3327 on the 33rd floor of the New Yorker Hotel.
Source => ocduk.org

Snoozing Genius

5. Snoozing Genius

While some believe Nikola Tesla was an insomniac superhero with a caffeine IV on standby, the truth is far more human and, well, snooze-worthy: Tesla actually slept for a couple of hours each night and frequently indulged in power naps throughout the day, defying the myth of his sleepless genius and proving that even legends need their beauty rest.
Source => cchwyo.org

6. A Pigeon Love Story

In a love story that’d give Romeo & Juliet a run for their money, Nikola Tesla shared his heart not with a blushing bride but with a bevy of beaked beauties: Tesla had a deep affection for pigeons, caring for them in his apartment, and even creating a special seed mix for them despite his germaphobia. He never married, believing it'd interfere with his science, but his love for a particular white pigeon was as profound as any human romance. Tesla was heartbroken when the bird died, and he claimed a bright light shone from her eyes, outshining any electrical marvel he'd created.
Source => britannica.com

7. Mad Scientist of Clean Energy

Though best described as the "mad scientist of the clean energy world," Nikola Tesla certainly knew how to leave no stone unturned in his quest for environmentally-friendly power: This eccentric genius preferred tackling challenges within the confines of his own mind before bothering with pesky parchment, and passionately crusaded against the use of fossil fuels, envisioning a future thriving on geothermal, solar, and wind energy.
Source => ai-bees.io

8. Original Joystick Business

Before there were Roombas battling DJ Roombas or remote-control cars racing to the candy aisle, Nikola Tesla dabbled in the original joystick business: In 1898, Tesla caused a splash in Madison Square Garden when he showcased the first radio-controlled robot-boat, steering it through waves of intrigue and admiration with radio waves transmitted from an on-land device to the boat's antenna—thus foreshadowing our modern addiction to controlling tiny machines from afar.
Source => teslasociety.com

9. Tesla Motors Misconception

Though he had the power to light up our world, he didn't go vroom-vroom in electric cars: Nikola Tesla, despite being the namesake of Tesla Motors, wasn't involved in the company's founding – that honor goes to Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003, who sought to create affordable electric vehicles for the masses. Elon Musk would later join the party, powering up the company to greater heights.
Source => forbes.com

Photographic Memory Maestro

10. Photographic Memory Maestro

When the teacher says you can bring a "cheat sheet" to the exam, Nikola Tesla would've been like, "No problem, my mind is my cheat sheet!": This legendary inventor had a photographic memory, allowing him to memorize entire complex mathematical formulas and calculations, which he used to create innovative electrical systems.
Source => espact.com

11. Flatulent Symphony Experiment

In a valiant effort that mimicked a flatulent symphony, Nikola Tesla inadvertently transformed his laboratory into a comical chamber of gastrointestinal relief: Tesla's experimentation with compressed air power led to a vibrating platform that not only resulted in peculiar sensations for its users, but also induced an urgent need to visit the restroom after dismount.
Source => unrememberedhistory.com

12. Hair and Pearl Aversions

If Nikola Tesla attended a swanky soiree, you'd probably find him dodging follicles and clutching his pearls - figuratively, of course: This ingenious inventor, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to electricity and electromagnetism, harbored peculiar aversions to hair and pearls, with a mysterious cause that remains shrouded in enigma.
Source => avondalemeadowsacademy.com

13. Mother's Gambling Intervention

Rolling in the dough, but not quite owning the bakery: Nikola Tesla's mother put an end to his gambling addiction by handing him a roll of bills and encouraging him to lose it all, knowing that her love and understanding would help him shift his focus to the life-changing inventions and discoveries he's famed for.
Source => teslasciencecenter.org

Related Fun Facts