Tesla Coil

Clip | 30s

Nikola Tesla needed ambient electricity to make his wireless inventions work. So he created the Tesla coil.

Aired: 10/18/16

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video?

The Triumph of Alternating Current from Tesla
Tesla's alternating current transformed life in the 20th century. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.
The Columbian Exposition from Tesla
160,000 light bulbs lit the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.
Cold Light from Tesla
Nikola Tesla develops wireless electricity he called "cold light". Premieres 10/18 on PBS.
The Contract from Tesla
Tesla's original contract with George Westinghouse. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.
George Westinghouse from Tesla
George Westinghouse set his sights on the future. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.
Tesla, Chapter 1
The first chapter from “Tesla” premiering October 18 at 9/8c on American Experience PBS.
Coming in Fall 2016
Executive Producer Mark Samels previews our fall lineup.
Tesla Preview
Meet the genius engineer and inventor whose technology helped create our wireless world.

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Consumer Cellular. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

More Extras

Adam Forepaugh: The Competitor

Clip | 1m

Police Tactics at the DOW Demonstration

Clip | 2m 45s

Video thumbnail: American Experience Death of a Colonel

The Demonstration that Sparked

Clip | 1m 31s

The Great War, Part 3: Trailer

Preview | 30s

Eugene Bullard: An American in France

Clip | 1m 11s

Video thumbnail: American Experience The Great War: An Inside Look

Take an immersive journey through Apollo missions 1, 8 and 11. As Americans moved through the sixties and reflected on the challenges ahead, many began to wonder: What exactly was it going to take to beat the Soviets to the moon?

Launch interactive Launch interactive