Nikola Tesla

From Stripespedia

Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was an inventor and a mechanical and electrical engineer. Tesla is often described as an important scientist and inventor of the modern age, a man who "shed light over the face of Earth". He is best known for many revolutionary contributions in the field of electricity and magnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tesla's patents and theoretical work formed the basis of modern alternating current electric power (AC) systems, including the polyphase power distribution systems and the AC motor, with which he helped usher in the Second Industrial Revolution.

Nikola Tesla and his famous invention, the Tesla coil, are something of motifs in the world of the White Stripes. The Stripes have made both obvious and obscure references to Tesla in their work:

• In the song "Astro", lyrics include the line "Maybe Tesla does the Astro." (after the repeated line, an additional line states "maybe Edison is AC/DC" referring to scientist Thomas Edison and alternating current/direct current.
• The title of the vignette starring the Stripes in Jim Jarmusch's film Coffee and Cigarettes is "Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil". It is worth noting, however, that the Tesla coil is a common thread throughout the rest of the film.
• Although Ben Blackwell has stated that nobody has correctly guessed what Jack is holding on the cover of Get Behind Me Satan, it is generally assummed and most likely correct that Jack is holding some sort of Tesla bulb. This has been possibly proved by visual evidence.