Who was the most intelligent?
Nikola Tesla had an eidetic memory, meaning he could remember and recite images and words precisely. This allowed him to recreate 3D images in his head extremely accurately. Despite Tesla’s brilliance, Thomas Edison was extraordinarily creative. He was described to always have experiments in the lab and was always tinkering.
Who was the most influential?
Tesla's inventions are the foundation of modern power and communication systems, but he slowly faded into insignificance in the 20th century, causing most of his inventions to be forgotten. Though, Thomas Edison has created one one the most well known inventions, the lightbulb, many people worked up to that point and he didn't hold the full responsibility of creating it from the start. For example, Edison had the idea for kinetoscope, or a moving picture, by photographer Edward Muybridge. He then left the experimentation and research to his assistant, William Dickson. Due to his lack of independence on his experiments, you could argue he has less of an individual impact than Tesla.
Who was the most socially skilled?
Nikola Tesla was known to be witty and charismatic. He was a very intelligent man who spoke many different languages. Though, his tendencies with hygiene became obsessive. Later in life, he developed tics, such as being afraid of women’s earrings. Thomas Edison had a few close friends, but had a known “mean streak” (Ghose, 2020). This side of Edison was exposed during the War of Currents.
Which is better, AC or DC?
Nikola Tesla’s idea of the alternating-current system of electric power was often described as impractical by Edison. He dismissed Tesla’s idea and encouraged his practical, yet inefficient, direct-current system. Although Tesla’s inventions didn’t necessarily have a market demand, his alternating-current system and hydroelectric plant located in Niagara Falls was named as the first of its kind power plant.
Who had a more successful life?
According to History.com, while Thomas Edison was alive he received 1,093 patents, which broke the record. These patents consisted of 389 for electric light and power, 195 for the phonograph, 150 or the telegraph, 141 for storage batteries, and 34 for the telephone. Meanwhile, Tesla received less the 300 worldwide. Edison did have many assistants and additionally purchased some of the patents he received.