The conversion van that carries us around the country contains a 1000 watt AC power inverter. Basically, this is a device that connects directly to the van battery and allows you to power devices that have a standard household AC plug. Unfortunately, it rarely works. After several attempts at repairing the inverter, I became curious about the history of AC power. AC (alternating current) is different than DC (direct current). Without going into detail, DC power is found in automotive cigarette lighters, and AC power is what you plug into in your house. The search for AC led me to Nikola Tesla, an electrical pioneer in the early 20th century.
Tesla is widely respected as one of America's greatest electrical engineers. In addition to inventing the theories behind AC, Tesla is also credited as being the inventor of radio, He developed the AC motor, created an early version of X-rays, and experimented with wireless electricity. At the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Tesla successfully lit light bulbs without connecting them to any wires. His ideas for AC power were looked down upon by Thomas Edison, but his format for AC power ultimately won the format war. (First AC, then VHS, now Blu-Ray. Go Tesla!) Despite fame and career success, he died in 1943 at the age of 86, destitute and in debt.
Can't you read the signs?
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