About this item
Growing up in Smiljan, Croatia, Nikola Tesla dreamed about harnessing the power of Niagara Falls. In 1884, he walked down the gangplank into the New York Harbor with four cents in his pocket, a book of poems, a drawing of a flying machine, and a letter of introduction to Thomas Edison, the "electrical wizard" of America. Upon meeting, Edison sent Tesla to fix the SS Oregon as a test and was so astounded that he offered Tesla a job at his factory.Tesla and Edison had different views about electricity; Tesla wanted to develop an alternate current while Edison wanted to stick to the direct current system. Edison offered Tesla a large sum to make his direct current system more efficient, but when the work was done, Edison refused to pay. Tesla quit and when things were looking bleak, he met George Westinghouse, who also thought that alternating current was the way to light up America.
About the Author
Monica Kulling is the author of the popular Great Idea series. The first three books, It's a Snap! George Eastman's First Photograph, All Aboard! Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine, and In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up were each nominated for Ontario's Silver Birch Express Award and were also finalists for the Book of the Year Award--Juvenile Nonfiction by ForeWord Reviews. In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up was also a Simon Wiesenthal Honor Book. Monica's recent books include Mary Anning's Curiosity, Eliza Hamilton: Founding Mother, and Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America's Children. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.
