http://www.frank.germano.com/lostinventions.htm
makes sure that you check out the rotory motor that he developed. I think that thunderchicken in particular would find this interesting
I've always been a fan of Tesla, both the rock band and the inventor :D
That is a very interesting article. I must read the whole thing when I've got the time, but that engine he invented is quite something - 110 horsepower from an engine 10" in diameter with only one moving part!
Might be interesting to try and build one, although I'd have no idea how to go about such a thing.
Saying Tesla was a genius is like saying the Atlantic Ocean is a bit moist. It's a shame that he isn't talked about as much as Edison, who by all accounts I've seen was more jerk than genius. (we hear a lot about Edison down here because his winter home is about 30 miles away)
I've heard a lot of things about Edison that would suggest he could be a real assclown. He is the one that put Tesla out of business and caused him to die penniless. But Tesla's idea of alternating current, as we all know, eventually won out over Edison's direct current method of delivering electricity to homes and businesses. To this day, though, a device that converts from AC to DC is called a "rectifier" by some people. Edison coined the term because he saw the device as "fixing" AC by converting it to DC.
I can't remember what class it was in, but I too heard that Edison was a prick. He used his money and power to make it so that no one else would get recognition for new ideas, etc. Asshat.
you also have to take into account that that motor that he made was probably all cast iron parts. I couldnt see anythng tesla made to go above 30,000rpm's be limited by anything other then forgeing technology. I also find it ineresting that it will run on virtially anything, steam gas and the like