Nikola Tesla: Programme of Celebrations (1976) Page 29

1887 12 October Took out his first patent for an alternating-current motor (electromagnetic motor). Then followed some forty patents for the polyphase system - motor, generator and distribution and transmission of electricity.

1888 16 May Gave his first lecture in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on “A new system of alternating current motors and transformers”. George Westinghouse bought his patents.

1889 July Became an American citizen after living in the United States for five years. Worked on medium-frequency generators and on luminiscent sources of light.

1889 September Visited Paris and his native Lika, Smiljan and Gospić. Returned to the United States in January 1890.

1891 20 May Delivered his second lecture in the A.I.E.E. on the subject: “Experiments with currents of very high frequency and their application in artificial lighting methods”. A number of patents on medium-frequency generators and luminiscent sources of light followed. Pointed to the importance of resonance and adjustment.

1892 February Lectures in London in the Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Royal Society, and in Paris in the Society of Electrical Engineers on the subject “Experiments with alternating currents of high potential and high frequency”.

1892 Early in April he left Paris for his homeland. Visited Gospić. On 16 April his mother Đuka died. On 24 May he visited Zagreb and attended a meeting of the City Council. Paid visits to Varaždin, Budapest and Belgrade (1 June) leaving for the United States on 3 June.

1893-1894 Made experiments with high-voltage and high-frequency currents and gave lectures at various institutions in the United States.

1895 13 March Tesla’s laboratory in New York was destroyed by fire. A.D. Adams, Director of Morgan Bank, provided funds for a new laboratory at 46, East Houston Street in New York city which started operating in July of the same year.

1895 15 April The first aggregate of the power-station on the Niagara went into operation; in August, electricity was supplied to the first user, the Pittsburgh Reduction Co. (now Aluminium Co. of America). In November 1896 the power-station was definitely completed and the first transmission line (to Buffalo, 35 km) started operating.

1896 Carried out experiments with X-rays and gave details and instructions for work with X-rays.

1896 17 December The General Assembly of the Yugoslav Academy of Science and Arts in Zagreb elected Nikola Tesla honorary member.

1898 1 July Took out patent for remote control of ships and vehicles.

1899 Carried out experiments with a 200-kW radio station in Colorado. Sent signals to New York.

1901 Began constructing the Wardenclyffe station for “World Telegraphy” on Long Island near New York. For lack of funds gave up the project. In 1915 sold the whole inventory and the site in order to pay his debts.

1911 17 January Took out patent for a bladeless turbine.

1916 18 December Took out his last patent - for a flow-meter for liquids.

1917 18 May Accepted the Edison Medal awarded to him in 1916 on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

1926 2 June Obtained the title of doctor honoris causa of Zagreb University.

1926 15 June The Faculty of Engineering of Belgrade University conferred on him the title of honorary doctor of engineering science.

1936 7 March Elected full member of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Belgrade.

1943 7 January Died at the “New Yorker” Hotel in New York city. His body was cremated and the urn with his ashes was taken from New York to Belgrade (1956) where it is kept in the Nikola Tesla Museum.