10 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About The Famed Nikola Tesla

Did you celebrate Nikola Tesla’s birthday on July 10? Thousands around the globe took a moment to honor the 160th anniversary of his birth.

Although Tesla passed away 73 years ago, he continues to capture the hearts of millions for the remarkable contributions he made to humanity during his lifetime.

For those unfamiliar, Nikola Tesla was an inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist, humanitarian, and philanthropist, as well as a historian and futurist. He was known for his eccentric personality, a touch of clairvoyance, and a somewhat introverted nature, among other unique traits.

Many who follow Spirit Science are likely aware of Tesla’s groundbreaking innovations and the immense impact he had on our modern world—think X-rays, radios, remotes, lasers, computers, and wireless communication, just to name a few.

Instead of rehashing the familiar Tesla facts, let’s explore ten lesser-known yet fascinating insights about this iconic inventor!

1. Tesla Had Two Near-Death Experiences

Tesla’s life was marked by extraordinary events, including not one but two near-death experiences. The first occurred during a swim in a river near his hometown in Croatia, where he nearly drowned.

The second experience happened early in his career while he was conducting research with one of his first Tesla coils. During this experiment, Tesla encountered a staggering blast of 3.5 million volts of electricity. He was dealing with 60-foot lightning bolts and, astonishingly, survived the shock.

When he regained consciousness, Tesla claimed to have entered a timeless state where he could perceive the past, present, and future simultaneously. Although he felt scrutinized throughout this experience, he described it as a journey through time and space.

2. Tesla Was the First to Record Radio Waves from Space

One evening while working in his laboratory in Colorado Springs, Tesla detected a repeating signal on his transmitter.

This groundbreaking moment marked the first time cosmic radio signals had been picked up, and Tesla believed he had intercepted communications from intelligent beings on either Venus or Mars. He later reflected, “The feeling is constantly growing on me that I had been the first to hear the greeting of one planet to another.”

Unfortunately, Tesla faced widespread ridicule when he shared his discovery with the public.

3. Tesla’s Fascination with the Number 3

In the later years of his life, Tesla’s eccentricity became more pronounced, particularly in his obsession with numerology. He famously stated, “If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6, and 9, then you would have the key to the universe.”

Among these numbers, he had a particular fixation on the number 3. Tesla often felt compelled to walk around a block three times before entering a building and insisted on having a stack of three folded cloth napkins at every meal.

4. The Pike’s Peak Lightning Incident

On his path to innovation, Tesla encountered various challenges, one of which was the infamous incident at Pike’s Peak near Colorado Springs. Tesla aimed to demonstrate that he could transmit unlimited amounts of power across vast distances without significant energy loss. To achieve this, he sought to create artificial lightning.

Tesla and his team built a laboratory featuring an 80-foot wooden tower topped with a 142-foot metal mast that held a large copper ball. Inside the wooden structure was a specially designed Tesla coil, intended to send powerful electrical impulses into the earth.

Once the project was completed, his assistant flipped the switch, unleashing arcs of blue electricity that danced up and down the coil. Massive bolts of lightning, extending over a hundred feet, erupted from the mast. This experiment ultimately caused a blackout, crippling the entire city of Colorado Springs as it burned out the dynamo at the El Paso Electric Company. The furious power station manager insisted that Tesla cover the damages.

5. Tesla’s Man-Made Earthquake in NYC

Believe it or not, Tesla nearly caused a massive disaster in New York City with his “oscillation machine.” Despite its small size, weighing only a few pounds, Tesla could fine-tune the device’s frequency to generate vibrations that intensified with each wave.

He famously stated, “Given enough little pushes, even the largest structure could be shaken apart.” When he activated the machine, the building began to tremble violently, leading to a rapid shutdown of the device to prevent any further chaos.

Realizing the potential destruction such a device could cause, Tesla reportedly destroyed it with a hammer.

6. Tesla Lived a Celibate Life

Despite standing at an impressive 6’6″ and possessing a charismatic and attractive demeanor, Tesla had little interest in romantic relationships. He prioritized his work and inventions over personal connections, viewing the latter as a distraction.

When asked about his choice to remain single, Tesla expressed, “There are two views: a lot of affection or not at all. The center serves to rejuvenate the human race. For certain individuals, women nurture and strengthen vitality and spirit. Being single offers the same rejuvenation for others. I chose that second path.”

7. Tesla and Mark Twain: A Unique Friendship

Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain shared a remarkable friendship that lasted for many years. The two often attended each other’s dinner parties and fundraisers, both being prominent philanthropists and humanitarians. Their bond was characterized by mutual respect and admiration, and they even indulged in playful pranks against one another from time to time.

Their friendship is famously depicted in a photograph showing Mark Twain and Joseph Jefferson in Tesla’s South Fifth Avenue laboratory in 1894, with Tesla’s image blurred between them.

8. Tesla Envisioned Smartphone Technology in 1901

In the race to establish transatlantic radio communication, Tesla shared his visionary ideas with his financier and business partner, J.P. Morgan. He described an innovative method for instant communication that involved gathering stock quotes and telegrams, which he would decode in his laboratory and assign each a unique frequency.

He imagined that this frequency could be transmitted to a handheld device, essentially predicting the smartphone and wireless internet long before they became a reality.

9. Tesla May Have Created a Death Ray

On July 23, 1934, Time Magazine published an article about Tesla’s intriguing invention referred to as a “death ray.” The article described a combination of four innovations that, according to Tesla, could render war unimaginable.

The core of this concept was a concentrated beam of sub-microscopic particles that would travel at nearly the speed of light. Tesla claimed this beam could incapacitate an army in its tracks and bring down aircraft from 250 miles away. He detailed how this device would work, including methods to counteract atmospheric interference, establish high potential, amplify that potential to 50 million volts, and create a powerful electrical repelling force.

10. Tesla Was Robbed After His Death

Nikola Tesla passed away in poverty in 1943, alone in his hotel room. Just a day or so after his death, agents from the Office of Alien Property raided his home.

While some of his belongings were returned to his family, many items were eventually transferred to the Tesla Museum in Belgrade. However, numerous documents and many of his inventions remain classified by the U.S. government, shrouded in mystery long after his passing.

Celebrating the Remarkable Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was so much more than just a brilliant inventor; he was a fascinating individual with a genuine passion for discovery. His life was sprinkled with quirky habits—like his obsession with the number three and his friendship with the witty Mark Twain—which make him feel more like someone you’d want to sit down and share a cup of coffee with rather than just a name in a textbook. Tesla’s journey shows us that being different is perfectly fine; in fact, those differences can spark incredible ideas that change our world.

As we reflect on his legacy, let’s take a moment to embrace our own passions, no matter how unusual they might seem. Tesla encourages us to dream big and stay curious, reminding us that it’s okay to ask questions and seek out new adventures in life. So, in celebrating this remarkable man, let’s carry his spirit with us, always eager to explore and discover what’s possible—because who knows? Our next big idea might just be around the corner.