Dedicated to math and its ability to solve problems.
Created & published on StoryJumper™ ©2025 StoryJumper, Inc.
All rights reserved. Sources: storyjumper.com/attribution
Preview audio:
storyj.mp/ae99yjb3uv9c
Think of all the things around you that run on electricity.
Lights
Phones
Television
Cars
Would you believe that a cat was responsible for their existence?
Well, one in particular is at least partially responsible.
2
In a house by the sea, where the weather was dry in the winter, lived a curious boy and his cat. One winter day it was particularly cold and dry, so the boy and his cat were staying warm inside. The cat sat on the boy’s lap, purring as he was stroked. The boy was sitting lost in thought as he stroked the cat and very suddenly sparks flew from the boy’s hands that could be heard throughout the house! He was left speechless and ran to his father who could always answer the boys' questions. His father had never seen this before though and could only tell the boy “this is nothing but electricity!”
3
This boy was Nikola Tesla and he grew up to be one of the greatest and most famous inventors the world had ever seen.
Nikola faced many struggles but he never gave up. He traveled to many places throughout his youth and found work improving electrical equipment.
His hard work did not go unnoticed.
4
He caught the eye of Thomas Edison, one of the most influential inventors alive at the time, who asked Tesla to work for him in New York City. Nikola accepted the offer and moved to the United States in 1884.
While working for Edison, Nikola saw a way to redesign Edison's electrical generator system to be more efficient. He pitched his idea to Edison, who responded, “There’s fifty thousand dollars in it for you – if you can do it.” Nikola accepted the challenge and got to work. After months of labor Tesla completed the task, but Edison did not pay him. “Tesla, you don’t understand our American humor.”
Edison instead offered him a raise on his weekly salary, but Tesla rejected the offer and quit his job.
5
Question
Tesla was offered $50,000 dollars for his work but instead was given a $10-dollar weekly raise. If Tesla’s original salary was $15 dollars a week, how many weeks would it take Tesla to save $50,000 dollars if he saved half of his weekly earnings? (Make sure to calculate his new weekly earnings)
It’s unfortunate that Edison didn’t pay up, but luckily Tesla held onto the designs of the improved generator system.
His reputation as an inventor was growing and in 1886 Tesla partnered with two businessmen to create Tesla Electric Light & Manufacturing, a company built to sell Tesla's generator design.
6
Nikola's improved electric generator was being installed throughout New Jersey and with a brand new company to fund his inventions he was excited to pursue his own designs. His partners were not so interested in Nikola's new products though, they only cared for maximizing their profits and eventually removed Nikola from the partnership. Nikola's was left poor with nothing but the ideas in his head.
7
Things were bad for Nikola that winter, but he did not let a streak of misfortune stop him from succeeding.
The next year he met two men whom he partnered with to create the Tesla Electric company.
He made sure to sign an agreement that guaranteed he would keep his share of the profits.
8
Through his new company, Nikola prepared a demonstration at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers to showcase his latest invention, an electrical motor system. His presentation caught the attention of many, but none were more important than George Westinghouse who purchased the motor system for $60,000. George Westinghouse owned an electrical company of his own and had been searching for the next idea that would change the world. He was so impressed with Nikola's work that he hired him as consultant for one year at his company for $2,000.
9
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Dedicated to math and its ability to solve problems.
Created & published on StoryJumper™ ©2025 StoryJumper, Inc.
All rights reserved. Sources: storyjumper.com/attribution
Preview audio:
storyj.mp/ae99yjb3uv9c
Think of all the things around you that run on electricity.
Lights
Phones
Television
Cars
Would you believe that a cat was responsible for their existence?
Well, one in particular is at least partially responsible.
2
In a house by the sea, where the weather was dry in the winter, lived a curious boy and his cat. One winter day it was particularly cold and dry, so the boy and his cat were staying warm inside. The cat sat on the boy’s lap, purring as he was stroked. The boy was sitting lost in thought as he stroked the cat and very suddenly sparks flew from the boy’s hands that could be heard throughout the house! He was left speechless and ran to his father who could always answer the boys' questions. His father had never seen this before though and could only tell the boy “this is nothing but electricity!”
3
This boy was Nikola Tesla and he grew up to be one of the greatest and most famous inventors the world had ever seen.
Nikola faced many struggles but he never gave up. He traveled to many places throughout his youth and found work improving electrical equipment.
His hard work did not go unnoticed.
4
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"Sparks Fly The Story of an Inventor"
This book tells the story of Nikola Tesla, a curious boy who grew up to be one of the greatest inventors. It highlights his struggles, achievements, and contributions to electrical engineering.
(16 pages)
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