Nikola Tesla

Tesla invented the alternating current (AC) electrical system that powers virtually every home and building on Earth today, winning the War of Currents against Edison's DC infrastructure. His development of the AC induction motor, transformer, and polyphase electrical distribution system enabled the large-scale generation and long-distance transmission of electricity. He also pioneered early radio communication technology, wireless transmission of energy, and laid conceptual groundwork for fluorescent lighting and radar.