Johns Hopkins recently became part of a retired
Michigan fourth-grade teacher's national campaign to
increase recognition of Nikola Tesla, the prolific —
but largely unrecognized — scientist and inventor who
made possible much of the modern world of electricity
through his system of polyphase alternating current (AC)
power.
During a reception held on Sept. 22 at the
Bloomberg Center for
Physics and Astronomy at Homewood, retired Ann Arbor
schoolteacher John Wagner presented that department with a
250-pound bronze bust, set on black granite, of the
inventor. More than 100 students, faculty and staff turned
out to munch refreshments and to watch department chair
Jonathan Bagger accept the gift on behalf of Johns
Hopkins.
"John Wagner has taken it as a quest to educate
physicists, engineers, inventors and the general public
about Nikola Tesla, and we are honored to be a part of
that," said Bagger, who indicated that following the
reception, the bust would be ensconced in the fourth-floor
library, where it could be enjoyed by one and all.
Hopkins' bust is one of 16 that Wagner and his former
students have donated to prestigious universities —
among them, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and MIT — across
the country. Wagner's hope is that having the bust around
will encourage students to learn about Tesla, and to give
credit where it is due.
"Tesla invented the system of polyphase alternating
current, and he should be recognized for it," Wagner told
the gathering. "You see those towers dotting the
countryside, and each is a monument to Tesla's
contributions. Tesla's discoveries are the foundation of
most electricity and energy today."
Physics and Astronomy Professor Zlatko Tesanovic also
spoke at the reception, commenting that it was worth noting
that "the currency of Nikola Tesla's world was not money
but ideas," which he said should serve as inspiration to
all researchers, scientists and seekers after truth.
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