The Year of Nikola Tesla

The Man who invented the 20th Century

Nikola Tesla, a Serb born in Smiljan, then Austria-Hungary (later Yugoslavia, today Croatia) was one of the greatest scientists the world has ever known. He had spent most of his career life in the United States. Tesla was shy, eccentric, scientist whose electronic inventions are reflected ubiquitously in the modern world. UNESCO has declared 2006 "The Year of Nikola Tesla" and Serbia and Croatia organized hundreds of performances, ceremonies and workshops dedicated to the scientist


By MARIJA MITROVIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


Nikola Tesla, a Serb born in Smiljan, then Austria-Hungary (later Yugoslavia, today Croatia) was one of the greatest scientists the world has ever known. He had spent most of his career life in the United States. Tesla was the shy, eccentric, scientist whose electronic inventions are reflected ubiquitously in the modern world. His legacy to the western world is all around us, from neon lighting to X-rays to the radio, and, though towards the end of his life his achievements went largely unnoticed, posthumously they have been hailed as some of the most important break-throughs in scientific understanding. Tesla was, his admirers insist, the man who contributed more than anyone else to the high-speed, hi-tech world in which we live. He was, put simply, the man who invented the 20th century.

UNESCO has declared 2006 "The Year of Nikola Tesla" and Serbia and Croatia organized hundreds of performances, ceremonies and workshops dedicated to the scientist.

People from Serbia celebrated 150 years from born of this genius in various ways. In schools were organized many events dedicated to life and achievements of Nikola Tesla, such as competitions, lectures, seminars, etc. The faculties of electrical engineering from Serbia joined several manifestations. They participated in symposium during October which was organized by Serbian Academy of Science and Arts in cooperation with IEEE ( Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Symposium was dedicated to Tesla's work, and application of his inventions in modern technology. The faculties and their students helped to complete the exhibition of Tesla's inventions in the Museum of Nikola Tesla in Belgrade. Student made models of Tesla's inventions which were exhibited in the museum and Academy.

Nikola Tesla Museum is a unique institution of science and culture in Serbia and in the world. It is the only museum in the world which preserves the original and personal inheritance of Nikola Tesla. It possesses several exceptionally valuable collections. During 2006 many people from Serbia andworld visited museum, and paid honor to ash of Nikola Tesla.

The most important monument to Nikola Tesla's work is power plant at Niagara Falls. At Niagara Falls, Tesla was the first to successfully harness the mechanical energy of flowing water, changed to electrical energy, and distribute it to distant homes and industries. His revolutionary model set the standard for hydroelectric power as we know today. Serbian people from Canada and USA, Canadian and Serbian government repaid to Tesla with magnificent monument which was unveiled on July 9, 2006 . Now, the inventor of alternating current has a permanent tribute overlooking the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls, Canadian side. One more monument was unveiled the day after, on Tesla's birthday. People of Serbia raised monument to Tesla near Belgrade airport, which was named after him.

At the same time people of Croatia celebrated birthday of great inventor. Croatian government renewed house where he was born and spent his childhood, which was destroyed during civil war. They set up multimedial show in the house dedicated to him. The orthodox church in which Tesla was baptized was also renewed during this action.

In October this year the Serbian and Croatian governments in co-operation with the European Commission have organized a Marie Curie workshop to celebrate the legacy of this outstanding role-model. As a reflection of Tesla's contributions to science and innovation, the workshop was multidisciplinary and cover engineering, physics, mathematics and information sciences, as well as related key issues such as intellectual property and patents. This workshop provided a unique view of the state of the art in these disciplines and enabled young scientists from European Union, Serbia and Croatia to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration and explore future career paths. The participants had a chance to consort with each other during the conference which was held in Zagreb and Belgrade.

People of Serbia and former Yugoslavian countries have been seeing for last fifty years Nikola Tesla on their banknotes. Schools, science and research institutes, scientific awards, one asteroid and Moon crater, have their names after Tesla. Tesla is unit of magnetic flux density. We see that we celebrate Tesla in many different ways every day, not just this year.