Tesla's original lab to be converted into museum

Nikola Tesla, the Croatian-born inventor touted as "the father of the electric age", is the stuff of modern mythology —the archetypal "mad scientist". And yet, the reclusive genius was anything but crazy: from AC power to microwaves, his ideas arguably did more to establish the modern world as we know it than his more well-known rival, Thomas Edison.

 

But while Edison has long been the stuff of history books and his numerous experiments enshrined in his old laboratory in Menlo Park, Tesla's revolutionary ideas have remained largely unsung and unhoused.

 

That is, until now.

 

The Tesla Science Center, a nonprofit group, has managed to save the site of Nikola Tesla’s former lab through crowdfunding and some expert negotiation. The plan is now to preserve the lab and convert in into a museum in honor of the Croatian inventor and visionary, also known as “the father of the electric age.”

 

After 18 years of trying and failing to secure the building, the group looked to the Internet for a solution. The previous year, Matthew Inman, known for his Web cartoon “The Oatmeal”, began an IndieGoGo campaign entitled “Let’s Build a Goddamn Tesla Museum”. In just a week, fans of Tesla donated more than $1 million to the cause.

 

The group bought the building and the land of Wardenclyffe Tower in Shoreham, New York, for $850,000, according to CNN. The rest of the $1.37 million they acquired will pay for the cleanup and renovation of the property.

 

Tesla envisioned a future world that used wireless communication and in which there was free distribution of clean energy. The Wardenclyffe Tower was where he was going to turn this vision into a reality. His plans never came to fruition, however, and the building eventually became the site of a photo-processing company. As a result, the area is now replete with chemical refuse.

 

More cash is needed, however, to transform the area into Tesla-centric interactive science museum.

 

“Now begin the next important steps in raising the money needed to restore the historic laboratory,” said Mary Daum, who serves as the Tesla Science Center’s treasurer. “We estimate that we will need to raise about $10 million to create a science learning center and museum worthy of Tesla and his legacy. We invite everyone who believes in science education and in recognizing Tesla for his many contributions to society to join in helping to make this dream a reality.”

 

On his website, Inman announced a two-day summer event in Shoreham, whose proceeds will help finance the building of the museum. Aside from musical performances, exhibits, and the like, Inman also plans a special science demonstration, Tesla-style.

 

“I own a fully functional Tesla coil cannon and I plan to BBQ some Sriracha-bacon sandwiches by shooting them with its 20,000 volt electric arc, so the event will be both scientific and delicious,” wrote Inman. “Again, we're shooting for this summer but we haven’t pinned down a date yet.”

 

A hundred years prior to the invention of the cell phone, Tesla predicted the need of wireless transmissions. In 1915, however, he lost the lab when his projects were deprived of their financial backing. Overshadowed by rivals Thomas Edison and Guglielmo Marconi, Tesla was largely forgotten for many years. Tesla has, however, regained popularity in recent years.

 

The Tesla Science Center hopes to bring Tesla, his contributions, and his revolutionary ideas back into the world for the new generation.

 

“This is a major milestone in our almost two-decade effort to save this historically and scientifically significant site. We have been pursuing this dream with confidence that we would eventually succeed,” said Gene Genova, the Tesla Science Center’s vice president. “We are very excited to be able to finally set foot on the grounds where Tesla walked and worked.”

 

The Tesla Science Center website and Facebook page offer more information about the Wardenclyffe site and fundraising events. — TJD, GMA News