Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electrical supply system. Born in Smiljan, now part of Croatia, Tesla's early interest in inventing was spurred by his mother's homemade tools and his father's philosophical teachings.Tesla's education at the Technical University at Graz and the University of Prague set the foundation for his later innovations. In 1884, he immigrated to the United States and began working with Thomas Edison, where their differing views famously led to a rivalry. Tesla's belief in the superiority of AC over Edison's direct current (DC) system was eventually vindicated, leading to the widespread adoption of AC power.Tesla's most significant contributions include the development of the AC motor, the Tesla coil, and early contributions to radio technology. His visionary projects, such as wireless energy transmission, were far ahead of his time. Tesla's work laid the groundwork for modern power and communication systems, though many of his more ambitious projects remained unrealized.Despite his brilliance, Tesla's life was marked by financial struggles and he died alone and impoverished in New York City. Posthumously, Tesla has received widespread recognition for his contributions to science and technology, and he remains a subject of fascination and admiration for his foresight and innovations.