The idea of inductive power was made possible in 1888 when German physicistHeinrich Hertz proved the existence of electromagnetic waves by creating a spark gap transmitter and receiver.
A spark generated by the transmitter also created a small spark in the receiver, which could be seen with a microscope. Serbian American inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla learned of Hertz’s work by the following year and began duplicating his experiments.
By 1891, Tesla had developed a high-tension induction coil, which he used to demonstrate wireless energy transmission. He successfully presented his technique to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the National Electric Light Association. By 1894 Tesla had developed the equipment to wirelessly light incandescent lamps at his New York laboratory. This method usedresonant inductive coupling, which involves tuning two nearby coils to resonate at the same frequency.
By 1896 he had increased the range of transmission to 30 miles (48 km). Tesla began construction on his Wardenclyffe Tower, designed for wireless broadcasting and power generation, in 1901. After several construction delays and technical setbacks, the project ran out of funds a few years later and was eventually demolished. After this, no significant advances were made for more than 50 years.
Nikola Tesla
