Nikola Tesla and Money

For many people, money represents a goal to strive for, a meaning in life.

However, there is a small number of those who do not crave money and who look at it only as a necessary evil or as a tool that will help them realize some of their dreams. The realization of that dream often represents one of the turning points in the history of mankind. Tesla also belonged to that small circle of really lucky or unusual people. This case also speaks of his attitude towards money.

The first industrialist, who, despite fierce opposition from the top scientific authorities of the time, understood the value of multiphase electricity, was Westinghouse. He bought from Tesla the right for his factory to produce Tesla's electric motors, with the result that our scientist will receive one dollar for each motor produced. As an advance, Tesla received a million dollars, which he immediately spent on his research, so that he soon ran out of money.

Unfortunately, at the moment when he was supposed to receive the first part of about 12,000,000 dollars, the Westinghouse company fell into financial difficulties and the industrialist was forced to ask the scientist to reduce his claims a little. Realizing what it was all about, Tesla declared »The benefit that humanity will have from my multiphase system means more to me than the money that is at stake now. Mr. Westinghouse, you will save your company and you will be able to develop my discoveries. Here is your contract and mine as an example. I will them tear it to pieces and you will no longer have anything to do with my claims. Is it enough?"

This is another proof that Tesla invested all his work for the benefit of humanity and that money is for him, no matter how much Tesla with representatives of the Westinghouse company on the occasion of the 50th anniversary induction motor was needed, it had no value.

Thanks to the mentioned generous move, the Westinghouse company acquired a great fortune, while Tesla life ended almost in poverty.