When Edison was denigrating alternating current, Tesla was perfecting the alternating current system, designing a more advanced, safer and practical alternating current generator.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
The engine must perform constant, controlled explosions with pistons, crankshafts, oil filters, alternators, fans, distributors, valves, coils, and cylinders among the many pieces of machinery needed for the work.