Remote Control

Nikola Tesla was the first to publicly demonstrate the remote control of a moving object in his glorious demonstration at Madison Square Gardens in New York City way back in December of 1898. It was an impromptu event that wasn't covered in the press, but a follow-up demonstration and lecture at the Commercial Club in Chicago was held in May of the following year with much fanfare.

Using a coherer-based system, he transmitted signals to control the boat's movements, lights, and rudder without wires, showcasing wireless communication for mechanical control.

This "teleautomaton" laid the groundwork for modern robotics, drones, and remote-operated vehicles. Tesla pitched it as a military tool, like guided torpedoes, but its broader impact influenced automation and wireless technologies, proving the feasibility of distant control through electromagnetic waves.