Tesla's Autobiography

The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention. Itis the most important product of his creative brain. Its ultimate purpose isthe complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing ofthe forces of nature to human needs. This is the difficult task of theinventor who is often misunderstood and unrewarded. But he findsample compensation in the pleasing exercises of his powers and in theknowledge of being one of that exceptionally privileged class withoutwhom the race would have long ago perished in the bitter struggle againstpitiless elements.