Nikola Tesla Museum Might Actually be Happening; Science History Geeks the World Over Rejoice

Ladies and gentlemen: We are one step closer to a Nikola Tesla museum.

In case you haven’t been following the efforts of The Oatmeal‘s Matthew Inman and the non-profit group previously know as Friends of Science East to turn the final laboratory of the eccentric genius and inventor of alternating current into the Tesla Science Center, here’s a brief summary: In 2009 the Agfa Corporation, which owned the Long Island site on which Tesla’s Wardenclyffe estate is situated, put the property up for sale. Using crowdfunding, Inman hoped to raise $850,000 to go towards purchasing the property, which was listed at $1.6 million. He breezed past that mark in six days and eventually went on to raise $1.4 million. And last Friday Friends of Science East, now known as the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, officially bought the property.

Take that, Thomas Edison Center.

Now that the Tesla Science Center is Wardenclyffe’s official owner they can move to have it added to the National Register of Historic Places and, most importantly, can restore the now-dilapidated lab and convert it into a, says TSC’s website, “regional science center built around the Nikola Tesla Museum, Library, and Historical Archive.”

If you’re not familiar with Tesla, the electrical pioneer who was screwed over by the more business-savvy Thomas Edison during the War of the Currents and died penniless in a New York hotel room in 1943, Matthew Inman’s original call for donations on The Oatmeal is a great place to learn the basics.

Doubtless it will take many years—and much more money—for the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe to become a reality. But still, at least it’s one step closer to happening. (And happening within easy driving distance from where I live, even! Tesla road trip!)

(via: Ars Technica)

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