Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#1

Post by tictoc » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 6:17 PM UTC

Documentaries, books, podcasts, or websites?

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#2

Post by chupa-chups » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 6:21 PM UTC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla is not too bad to start with :)

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#3

Post by hhs » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 6:37 PM UTC

I viewed the PBS documentary of Nikola Tesla a few days ago. It had useful information and I enjoyed it: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/tesla/.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#4

Post by chunkles » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 6:41 PM UTC

I've read a few biographies and other books about Tesla. I recommend Tesla: Man Out of Time by Margaret Cheney

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#5

Post by matahwoosh » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 6:46 PM UTC

I just finished this book: https://books.google.com/books/about/Tesla.html?id=5I5c9j8BE...

I thought it was really thorough and quite technical, so if you're interested in the early day of electricity more than just personal anecdotes, then this book might be for you :)

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#6

Post by billconan » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 7:50 PM UTC

https://nikolateslamuseum.org/en/

https://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#7

Post by veysiertekin » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 8:56 PM UTC

Read his life in his words:

The Strange Life of Nikola Tesla

https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Life-Nikola-Tesla-ebook/dp/B0...

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#8

Post by milhouse1337 » Thu, Aug 15, 2019, 11:35 PM UTC

I might suggest this documentary. It focuses on the Wardenclyffe tower, crazy stuff if you never saw it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_to_the_People

There is a trailer available here. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nikolatesla

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#9

Post by reagank » Fri, Aug 16, 2019, 1:16 PM UTC

I’ll put in a vote for Wizard: the life and times of Nikola Tesla. I knew very little other than “Tesla == weird genius”, and the book gave me a much deeper view of his work, from trying to run power through the ground to building drone boats.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I learn about Nikola Tesla?

#10

Post by freediver » Fri, Aug 16, 2019, 3:51 PM UTC

Best is to experience it in person at Nikola Tesla museum in Belgrade, Serbia. It keeps his remains and many documents and ideas and attracts like-minded fans from around the world.