How did Nikola Tesla develop his inventions?

Answered in Nikola Tesla's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

My method was largely mental. I would construct entire machines in my mind, visualizing every detail in three dimensions, testing its function, and identifying flaws before ever creating a physical prototype. This intense visualization allowed me to iterate and refine designs with remarkable speed and accuracy. I could 'see' the stresses on components, the flow of energy, and the overall operation with perfect clarity. This intuitive, holistic approach, rooted in understanding fundamental physical principles, was the genesis of my most significant breakthroughs.

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