The development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems is credited to Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and futurist Nikola Tesla. On July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Croatia—at the time a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire—Tesla was born. His father was an Orthodox Serbian priest, and he was one of five kids.

Tesla was attracted by electricity and had an early interest in science and technology. He immigrated to the United States in 1884 and started working for Thomas Edison, a businessman and inventor. Tesla, however, had a very different outlook on how electricity will develop from Edison. While Tesla believed that alternating current (AC) systems were the superior technology, Edison promoted direct current (DC) electrical systems.

Despite suffering failures and financial difficulties, Tesla persisted in developing his concepts for AC electrical systems. He created an alternate-current motor in 1887 that was more effective than the DC motors in use at the time. He also created a transformer that enabled the long-distance transmission of high-voltage AC electricity.
Edison's DC electrical system ultimately lost out to Tesla's AC method, which went on to set the global standard for transmitting electrical power. Following his naturalisation as an American citizen in 1891, Tesla established his own business, the Tesla Electric Company, which specialised in the development of AC electrical systems and other technologies.

Tesla made major contributions to a variety of subjects, including electrical engineering, physics, and computer science, throughout the course of his career. He created a large number of inventions. The Tesla coil, which is used in radio technology and other applications, and the Tesla turbine, a kind of rotary engine that uses steam as a power source, are among of his most famous inventions and discoveries.
A visionary as well, Tesla had ideas for cutting-edge technology that were years ahead of their time. For instance, he suggested a wireless communication system that would let people access information and speak with one another from any location in the world. He also saw the creation of tools that would enable individuals to use renewable energy.

Tesla experienced financial challenges throughout his life, despite his great successes. He routinely committed enormous sums of money into his initiatives and frequently needed the financial backing of successful investors to complete his job. Tesla's later years saw him grow more eccentric and solitary, and he spent a lot of time focusing on his own personal projects.
Currently, Tesla is regarded as one of the most significant scientists and inventors of the modern era. New generations of scientists and inventors are still influenced and motivated by his contributions to electrical engineering and other domains. His legacy is proof of the brilliance of human intellect and the ability of innovation to influence the future.