Emil Kolben: The Czech Nikola Tesla (Part 2)

While on a Jewish vacation with KRC in Central Europe, we don’t just focus on the places we go to. We also put emphasis on the stories of people who have made their mark  in the history of the region. When travelling with us, one such story you will come across is the one of Emil Kolben.

This is Part 2 of our study into the life of Emil Kolben. 

Education and Edison

Emil Kolben graduated from a higher grammar school in Malá Strana then studied electrical engineering and machinery at the German Technical University of Prague. He graduated with honors in 1887. After a one-year practice he received Gerstner's travel scholarship of 1,200 gold for two years from the provincial committee. This allowed him to study abroad. He first became acquainted with some industrial companies in Europe. In 1888, he and his wife Malvina (1863-1940) sailed off to the United States, where they stayed for the next five years.

He first made a study trip across the United States, but soon received a job at Thomas Alva Edison’s “Edison Machine Company” in Schenectady, NY, which is the predecessor of today's General Electric. Later, he became Edison's direct collaborator in the development laboratories in Orange, New Jersey. He was appointed chief engineer once he proved himself there.

Tesla and Returning Home

In 1889, Nikola Tesla invited him to test multiphase electro motors at his laboratories in the Tesla Electric Company in New York. This experience greatly contributed to Kolben's focus on the use of alternating current and thus to his lifetime success. Kolben and Tesla had a similar style of work. They both worked systematically on the basis of scientific knowledge and theory at that time, while self-taught Edison was more intuitive.

Unlike Tesla, however, Kolben broke off with Edison on good terms. And their friendship later helped Kolben to build his vast business contacts.

His return to Europe was influenced by his wife, who never felt at home in America.

After returning to Europe, Kolben worked as the chief engineer in the Swiss company Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (Stroirina Oerlikon), developing generators and AC motors from 1892-1896. Its field was the transmission of energy by a high-voltage system. The correctness of Tesla's ideas was proven on the 125-km long lead from Laufen to Frankfurt. In Oerlikon, he also met Behn-Eschenburger, later inventor of a single-phase commutator engine, and other excellent electrotechnics (Dobrowolski, Arnold, Fischer-Hinnen).

In 1895 while living and working in Switzerland, the Kolbens were blessed with their first son, Hanuš.

Emil Kolben House

In 1896 Kolben and his family returned to Bohemia and settled in Villa Fleissnerka in the Vysočany district of Prague. On 29 October, Kolben founded a company with several silent associates, the most important of which was Karel Bondy, a Jewish investor. The factory was named “Kolben & Co.” and was designed by Kolben himself based on his experience from both Europe and America. He created a rationally structured factory with modern equipment for economical production.

Kolben’s life is quite colourful, isn’t it? But we shall learn even more in Part 3. For the first part, check here: Emil Kolben: The Czech Nikola Tesla  (Part 1)


To read the rest of the article:
Emil Kolben: The Czech Nikola Tesla  (Part 3)
Emil Kolben: The Czech Nikola Tesla  (Part 4)