Beginning in the late 1800’s, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were involved in a competition which came to be known as the War
Both Edison and Tesla were able to develop, imagine or create inventions that are utilized in modern factory environments in some capacity even today. When we consider Industry 4.0 as a 4th Phase of industrial growth, evolution and progress, it is difficult to dispute that both Edison and Tesla contributed to what is essentially the connected manufacturing environment of the modern age.
Thomas Edison is still considered one of the greatest inventors to ever live.Inventions that he is credited with include the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the light bulb. Thomas Edison was talented but was also savvy. He was able to secure close to 1100 patents in his name during his lifetime. He also was able to bring productivity and financial backing to support his many inventions. From his beginnings he developed a way of thinking that was unique for the era in which he lived and worked.
As related to the War of the Currents, Edison developed DC electricity which became the standard in the US in those days. The problem with direct current (DC for short) is that it is not easily converted to higher or lower voltages.
As related to the War of the Currents, when it came to electricity that could be converted to higher and lower voltages, Tesla believed he had the solution to the problem Edison’s direct current was encountering in practical application. AC electricity, which Tesla developed, can be converted to different voltages using a transformer.
Alternating current basically took over for Direct Current from that point on. However there are still applications where DC is the preferred power source, even today.
Although Thomas Edison is viewed as the greatest American inventor, Nikola Tesla was a genius whose ideas and inventions are utilized even today. Both inventors were key players that changed lives with their genius.
Who do you believe is the better inventor?
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