David K Stone (Oregon, 1922 - 2001) "Nikola Tesla" Signed lower center. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c Nikola Tesla stamp issued September 21, 1985. Known as the "genius who ushered in the power age," Nikola Tesla was born in 1856 in Smiljan -- formerly Austria-Hungary. He received his schooling at the Polytechnic School in Graz, Austria and also at the University of Prague. While at Graz, he learned about the Gramme dynamo ... a generator, which when operated in reverse, became an electric motor. Later, Tesla went to work for the Continental Edison company in Paris. While on assignment, he developed some new ideas about the Gramme dynamo, and constructed the world's first induction motor. This invention incorporated an astonishing feature, called the rotating magnetic field -- a magnetic whirlwind produced in a motor winding by the interaction of the two or more alternating currents. This discovery provided the first practical means to inexpensively produce an electric current and send it over long distances with a minimum loss of current. Tesla moved to America in 1884, and his first employer was the famous Thomas Edison. Although both men were comparable geniuses, their backgrounds were quite diverse and finally led to their separation. So, Tesla established his own laboratory and accomplished much. Among Telsa's many shining achievements are: advances in high voltage and frequency knowledge, the Tesla coil, a system of arc lighting, and a system of wireless transmission. Image Size: 20.75 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 27.25 x 24 in. Unframed. (B07679)