A Tale of Two Teslas Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Developed by Nikola Tesla in 1887 and patented in 1888, the AC induction motor utilises alternating current and a rotating magnetic field to generate motion, eliminating the need for brushes and physical contacts that wore out in earlier electric motors. It made AC power practical for factories and machinery and remains one of the most widely used motor types in the world.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

The Megapack was launched by Tesla Inc. in 2019. It's a utility-scale battery storage system designed for power companies and large commercial customers. Each unit stores several megawatt-hours of electricity and is supplied largely pre-assembled for faster installation.

It helps support electricity grids, store renewable energy and reduce reliance on gas-fired peaking power stations. A dedicated Megapack factory later opened in Lathrop, California.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

Introduced in 2014, Autopilot is Tesla Inc.'s driver-assistance system that utilises cameras, sensors, and software to assist with steering, braking, and acceleration on suitable roads. It's not a self-driving system, as drivers must remain attentive, keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Patented in 1891 by Nikola Tesla, the Tesla coil is a resonant transformer circuit that produces high-voltage, high-frequency alternating current. It was designed for experiments in wireless power transmission and is still used today in educational demonstrations, radio-frequency research and specialised electrical applications.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

Tesla Inc.'s first Gigafactory opened in Sparks, Nevada, in 2016 through a partnership with Panasonic to manufacture battery cells and electric drivetrains. Additional Gigafactories have since opened in Shanghai, Berlin and Austin, Texas. Their name reflects the gigawatt-hours of battery capacity they are designed to produce each year.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

Produced from 2008 to 2012, the original Roadster was the first production vehicle by Tesla Inc. Based on the Lotus Elise chassis, it offered a range of around 245 miles on a single charge and helped establish Tesla as a manufacturer of high-performance electric vehicles.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

One of the earliest demonstrations of remote control took place in 1898, when Nikola Tesla exhibited a radio-controlled boat at Madison Square Garden in New York. It was operated entirely by radio waves, and it amazed spectators, some of whom believed a trained animal was hidden inside the vessel.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

Following Tesla Inc.'s acquisition of SolarCity in 2016, solar roof tiles were developed to generate electricity while resembling conventional roofing materials. Production began at the Gigafactory in Buffalo, New York, in 2017. The system is designed to integrate with the Powerwall home battery.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

During the 1880s and 1890s, Nikola Tesla demonstrated early fluorescent-style and gas-discharge lighting using high-frequency electrical currents to produce light without a filament. He demonstrated these lighting systems publicly at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, years before fluorescent lighting became commercially widespread.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla's discovery of the rotating magnetic field in 1882 became the foundation of the AC induction motor and the polyphase AC power system. By supplying alternating currents slightly out of phase to stationary coils, a continuously rotating magnetic field could be created, allowing electric motors to operate smoothly and efficiently.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

Introduced in 2015 as an optional upgrade for the Model S P90D, the Ludicrous Mode by Tesla Inc. increased acceleration by modifying the battery and motor systems, reducing the 0-60 mph time to around 2.8 seconds. Its name was inspired by the 1987 comedy 'Spaceballs'. The feature later appeared on other high-performance models before newer performance packages replaced it.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Patented by Nikola Tesla in 1913, the Tesla turbine used a series of smooth parallel discs instead of conventional blades. It relied on the boundary layer effect, where fluid flowing across the discs caused them to rotate. Although it could operate on water, steam or air, it never achieved widespread use because conventional turbines proved more practical.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

Much of Nikola Tesla's later career was devoted to the idea of transmitting electrical energy without wires over long distances. His most ambitious project was the Wardenclyffe Tower on Long Island, begun in 1901, which was intended to transmit both communications and electrical power wirelessly.

The project was never completed after Tesla ran out of money and J.P. Morgan declined to provide further funding.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

Tesla Inc.'s Supercharger network launched alongside the Model S in September 2012. It provides rapid charging at dedicated stations. Initially available only to Tesla owners, it has expanded to selected electric vehicles from other manufacturers. The network now includes tens of thousands of charging stalls worldwide.

Answer: Nikola Tesla

The polyphase AC electrical system was developed by Nikola Tesla during the 1880s, utilising multiple alternating currents that operated slightly out of phase, enabling electricity to be transmitted more efficiently than with a single-phase system.

Working with George Westinghouse, he helped demonstrate the system at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and it was used to generate power at Niagara Falls in 1895. It became the foundation of the modern electrical grid used throughout much of the world.

Answer: Tesla Inc.

The Powerwall was unveiled by Tesla Inc. in April 2015. It's a rechargeable lithium-ion battery designed for home energy storage, typically paired with solar panels. It stores electricity for use after sunset or during power cuts. The system can automatically provide backup power during a blackout when installed with compatible equipment. It can also help reduce electricity costs by storing energy when demand is low and supplying it during peak-price periods.