The United States Patent Office awards the patent for the induction coil transformer to Karolyi Zipernovsky, Otto Blathy, and Miksa Deri of Budapest. This is the so-called ZBD transformer. The AC vs. DC “War of the Currents” begins between Edison and Tesla (who worked for Westinghouse). Direct current (DC) is unsuitable for long-distance transmission, while the ZBD transformer enables alternating current (AC) to be easily transmitted over enormous distances by increasing the voltage and simultaneously reducing the current.
