What was the War of the Currents?

When Edison’s electrical empire grew, he recruited a young engineer named Nikola Tesla to improve the DC distribution system. He was from Croatia, which was then a part of the Austrian Empire. Tesla improved the dynamo. At the same time, he also came up with new ideas based on the new technology of alternating current, or AC. Edison did not show much interest in this, as he was focussing more on the DC technology. Tesla soon left Edison.

Now working alone, Tesla applied his full mind on the AC technology and designed a complete system for it. He secured seven patents in the U.S., for polyphase AC motors and power transmission equipment. Tesla also made a deal with George Westinghouse, a big entrepreneur who believed in the new AC technology. Westinghouse purchased the patents held by Tesla. What followed was an epic battle between the two technologies of AC and DC – the War of the Currents, as historians call it.

Picture Credit : Google

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