Tesla quit working for Edison over a broken $50,000 promise

When Tesla first arrived in America, he went straight to work for Edison's company. Edison's machines were constantly breaking down and losing money. Edison allegedly told Tesla he would pay him $50,000—which was a fortune back then, worth over a million dollars today—if Tesla could redesign the generator machines. Tesla worked incredibly hard for months. He barely slept. He redesigned the machines and saved the company. When he asked for his reward, Edison laughed. He told Tesla, 'You do not understand our American humor.' Instead of the massive bonus, Edison offered a tiny raise. Tesla felt cheated. He quit on the spot.