Nikola Tesla and His Works - On the Occassion of the Eightieth Anniversary Page 7

I drew plans in the sand, which I presented six years later in my lecture before the American Society of Electrical Engineers [2], and my friend completely understood them. The image I saw at that time was so clear, engraved in stone or metal, that I exclaimed, “See my motor here; watch how I will start it now!” I cannot describe the excitement that overcame me then. I believe even Pygmalion could not have been more excited seeing his statue come to life. Out of a thousand secrets of nature that I might accidentally uncover, I would not have given away this one, which I forced out of it at a time when I was struggling with great difficulties and was even in danger for survival [1].

Tesla went to Paris in 1883, hoping to more easily realize his discoveries and build a new motor there. Paris itself made a strong impression on him. “A few days after arriving,” he said, “I wandered the streets marveling at constantly new scenes. There were many attractions that could not be resisted, but unfortunately, my income was quickly spent, as it was received. When Mr. Puskash asked me how I was adapting to the new environment, I replied to him with these words: “The last twenty-nine days of the month are the worst!” [1].

In Paris, Tesla worked at Edison’s Continental factory, which was then building direct current power plants across France and Germany according to Edison’s patents. For the first few months, Tesla visited all the plants set up by the Company and made necessary repairs to the electrical machines. Upon his return to Paris, he proposed to the factory director, Mr. Rou, to make some changes to their machines; he allowed it, and Tesla was very successful in that endeavor. At that time, the Company was in great trouble due to the newly erected power plant in Strasbourg, which could not function properly. The director entrusted Tesla with the task, confident that he would handle it best. Indeed, after a few months, Tesla fixed everything in this power plant. At the same time, he built, in the workshop across the railway station in Strasbourg, a small asynchronous motor with materials brought from Paris and, there in Strasbourg, saw for the first time that his motor actually reversed.

In the Parisian factory, several Americans were employed. Tesla quickly befriended them, being a skilled billiards player. One day, when he presented his discovery to them, one of them, Mr. Cunningham, a supervisor in the mechanical department, suggested forming a joint-stock company. It did not materialize because there was no money. In Strasbourg, Tesla also befriended Mr. Bozen, a former mayor, and entrusted him with his inventions. Mr. Bozen tried to find