Nikola Tesla, born in 1856 in the Austrian Empire, was a pioneering engineer who immigrated to the US in 1884. He initially worked with Thomas Edison but soon established his own laboratory. Tesla's notable inventions include the Tesla coil, an AC system, and remote-controlled boats. He was known for his eccentricities, such as a germ phobia and fascination with pigeons. Tesla died in 1943, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and controversy, including unproven claims about detecting life in space and a 'death ray'.

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