“The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter for the future. His duty is to lay the foundation for those who are to come, and point the way. He lives and labors and hopes.”
Nikola Tesla
Most people have never heard of Tesla though his genius has been compared to Einstein and DaVinci. Tesla invented the AC electrical system in use today. Originally from Croatia, he arrived penniless in New York in 1884 at the age of 28 and began working for Thomas Edison. But Edison refused to pay him the $50,000 that he had promised him for improving Edison’s systems so Tesla quit, digging ditches for a while just to survive.
He went on to produce 325 patents worldwide and his theories and their applications reach into every corner of our world. Edison got the notoriety mainly because he was home grown. Tesla died practically penniless at the age of 86.
Many scientists labor in obscurity, just hoping to plant the seeds for tomorrow.