$1 Million Raised to Help Save Tesla Lab

SHOREHAM, N.Y. (AP) | A jolt of support from a popular Web cartoonist has re-energized a decades-long effort to restore a decrepit, 110-year-old laborato- ry once used by Nikola Tesla, a visionary scientist who was a ri- val of Thomas Edison and imagined a world of free elec- tricity. In little more than a week, tens of thousands of donors have kicked in more than $1 million through a social media fundraising website to pay for the restoration of Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe laboratory, locat- ed about 65 miles east of New York City. The not-for-profit formed about 17 years ago had man- aged to secure a state matching grant of $850,000 but had amassed only about $50,000 for the project. Then this summer Jane Al- corn, president of the Tesla Sci- ence Center at Wardenclyffe, learned that Matthew Inman, a cartoonist who runs theoat- meal.com, posted a tribute to the scientist titled "Why Nico- la Tesla is the Greatest Geek Who Ever Lived." Supporters of the Long Island effort reached out to Inman. 66 Tesla sacrificed everything for this, and he died penni- less." Joe Sikorski, filmmaker Last week, he posted a re- quest for donations on a fundraising website, and the re- sponse was nearly instanta- neous. At 6 p.m. Aug. 15, the plea went out, and before Al- corn went to bed that night, donors had given nearly a quar- ter million dollars. Tesla amassed hundreds of patents for his discoveries over his lifetime. Among his most notable accomplishments are his work in developing alternat- ing current and other research in the creation of wireless com- munication and radio. For about 15 years in the ear- ly 1900s, Tesla worked at the lab. Many of the buildings have been vandalized, said real es- tate agent John O'Hara, who is representing AGFA in the sale. He confirmed the property has a $1.6 million asking price, but added that is negotiable. Alcorn said one of the group's supporters is filmmak- er Joe Sikorski. He donated $33,000 to the effort this week, officially pushing the fundrais- ing goal over its $850,000 target to meet the offer of state match- ing funds. "People don't under- stand the historical signifi- cance," Sikorski said. "Not only did Sanford White design the laboratory, which is notable in itself, but Tesla hoped to give free wireless energy to the world from this site. Tesla sac- rificed everything for this, and he died penniless."