American Patriot - Dr. Nikola Tesla

By Adam Sudetic Member,
Lodge 519

DETROIT, Mich. — When the late Dr. Nikola Tesla first came to America in 1884, almost 72 years ago, he ran into the same strange impressions which engulf all who visit another country for the first time.

After being here for a time, Dr. Tesla said he left behind him “a world of dreams” and came to “a world of realities.” What he left behind was “beautiful artistic and fascinating in every way,” and what he found here was “machined, rough and unattractive.”

Even the stick of a policeman appeared to him as “a big log.”

Five years later he went abroad and coming back he was convinced that America even at that time “is a hundred years ahead of Europe.” He never changed his opinion in this matter.

Cherished Citizenship

Whenever Dr. Tesla invented something he felt would serve the best interests of his beloved America he went direct to Government officials and placed it at their disposal.

It was in this manner that he offered his powerful Magnifying Transmitter to the Nation.

During World War I he worked for the Government “at a sacrifice on his several inventions relating to aerial navigations, ship propulsions and wireless transmissions.”

He valued his American citizenship to such a degree that he always kept his citizenship papers in a safe, whereas his orders, diplomas, degrees, gold medals and other citations were packed away in old trunks.

Why Was Tower Razed?

When his famous Tower was demolished in 1917, a report was widely circulated that “the structure was demolished by the Government” due to war conditions.

Dr. Tesla contradicted this by stating that if the report “had foundations he would have gotten a large sum of money as a refund, which he expended on the structure.”

And he added: “My project was retarded by laws of nature. The world was not prepared for it. It was too far ahead of time. But the same laws will prevail in the end and make it a triumphant success.”

He also contradicted rumors that financier J. Pierpont Morgan “had interest with him in business.” He merely said that “Mr. Morgan has assisted many other pioneers.” The only reason Mr. Morgan helped Dr. Tesla was because “he had confidence and complete faith in his ability to ultimately achieve what he had set out to do.”

An American Patriot

Since Dr. Tesla never cared for glory, nor for wealth, he most certainly must be held up as an ideal example of a great American patriot.

It may take a few years more for Americans to understand the unselfish contributions Dr. Tesla made to enhance the greatness of these United States.

But recognized and accepted they will be in time and the American people will soon come to realize how fortunate this Country of ours was to be the home of a truly great scientist, inventor and benefactor of all mankind.