Nikola Tesla is the true father of electricity, but unfortunately, that cad Thomas Edison takes all the credit because he’s the one who commercialized it. Tesla actually wasn’t interested in commercializing electricity at ALL, which of course means that he was a communist and anti-American, which of course means no pages in the history books for you.
Tesla’s final laboratory is located in the small town of Shoreham, New York. It’s known as Wardenclyffe (which is just so fucking boss I can’t even stand it), and is the site where Tesla tried to build a giant tower that would provide free wireless energy for all. The project was never completed and the tower was destroyed, the laboratory sold to a film and paper manufacturer. The laboratory and the remains of the tower are still there, and the land containing it recently went up for sale for 1.6 million dollars.. A non profit is trying to buy the land to create a Nikola Tesla museum, and have a grant from New York State saying they will match any donations up to $850 k.
There is another interested buyer who wants to buy the land and tear the historic site down or make it into some sort of strip mall or store (BOO! HISS!). Basically, if the foundation can’t come up with the money, this piece of history will be lost forever. There also isn’t a museum dedicated to Tesla in the United States, which is also a conplete travesty. The Foundation, The Tesla Science Centre at Wardenclyffe, is a real 501(c)3 non-profit registered with the state, and have set up an Indiegogo page to help raise funds. They’re already at over $700,000 with 40 days left, but every donation counts. If they exceed their goal, they might even have extra money to actually build the museum itself, as the $850,000 is JUST for the land itself. By donating you will ensure that the site becomes an official historical landmark, and also help secure the legacy of the man without whom our modern life wouldn’t be possible.
The Oatmeal has more about Tesla and the campaign here.
