I’ve always been fascinated by Nikola Tesla. Quite apart from the man’s stunning achievements (which historians have largely robbed him of)he was a fascinating wack job. His biographers have mentioned his phobias-he was afraid of women wearing pearls, for example. He would live way beyond his means-and would dine at the NYC Waldorf restaurant even if he was down to his last nickel, and always was formally dressed 9even in the laboratory).
He also had some weird obsessions-the noise of a ticking clock in another room was enough to prevent him from falling asleep.
My question therefore is: has anyone ever attempted to analyze this guy? was he a borderline mental case?
If he were alive today, would he be in a mental hospital?
Let me know your thoughts on this!
I think he was just another Extremely Smart Crazy Guy. As for mental hospitals, you generally don’t get put in those unless you’re dangerous or completely unable to function by yourself.
Don’t forget that he spent his last years taking care of pigeons, and, from all accounts, practically fell in love with one.