Who is credited with the development of the Alternating Current (AC) system in use today?

Nikola Tesla is credited with the development of the modern Alternating Current (AC) system. His work in the late 19th century included the invention of the AC induction motor and the transformer, which are fundamental components of the AC power distribution system we use today. Tesla's designs allowed for the efficient transmission of electricity over long distances, which was a significant improvement over the direct current (DC) systems proposed by others, such as Thomas Edison.

Tesla's contributions also included the development of polyphase AC systems, which made it possible to generate and transmit power more effectively. This innovation laid the groundwork for the power grids that supply electricity to homes and businesses around the world. His vision for AC power and its ability to be transformed to different voltages significantly shaped the electrical industry, influencing how electrical energy is generated and distributed.

The other figures mentioned made significant contributions to science and technology, but their work did not directly lead to the development of the AC system. Thomas Edison is primarily known for his work with DC electrical systems and inventing the light bulb. Gustav Kirchhoff is recognized for his work in circuit theory, particularly with laws governing electric circuits, and James Clerk Maxwell formulated the fundamental equations of electromagnetism but did not focus specifically on the AC