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Key Information
This episode is set in the year 1903 in New York, USA.
The Doctor and her companions meet the inventors Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison.
Key Information
The scavenger, scorpion-like race, the Skithra, are searching for an engineer to fix their ship. The Skithra kidnap Nikola Tesla and threaten to destroy the Earth if he does not help them.
The Doctor and her companions have to stop the Queen of the Skithra from removing Nikola Tesla from history and destroying Earth.
Think about...The part of the episode where we see Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison disagreeing.
Half of your inventions were thought out by
other people.
Anyone can have ideas. I make them happen.
The Doctor’s Challenges
In the episode, Nikola Tesla is no longer friends with Thomas Edison.
Why do you think this is?
Can you write a letter to encourage them to put their disagreements behind them?
Thomas Edison and his staff at his research lab were responsible for numerous innovations.
Can you find out about three of his most well-known inventions?
The Doctor’s Challenges
Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison were both pioneering inventors, experimenting with electricity.
Make a list of objects in your house that use electricity.
Using the Internet, can you find out who invented them?
The Doctor’s Challenges
Although not as well-known as Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla was an amazing scientist.
Can you make a fact file about Nikola Tesla and his inventions which feature in this episode?
Think about...
The end of the episode where the Doctor uses the TARDIS and the Tesla Tower to defeat the Skithra.
The Doctor’s Challenges
Nikola Tesla was experimenting with wireless technology over one hundred years ago.
Can you list some of the ways we use wireless technology in our homes today?
The tower in this episode was based on the real Tesla Tower in Wardenclyffe, Long Island, New York.
Can you use the Internet to find out about the tower and draw a picture of it?
The Doctor’s Challenges
Nikola Tesla has a very eventful time in this episode, especially meeting the Queen of the Skithra!
Write a diary entry for Nikola Tesla about his adventure.
As can be seen in this episode, electricity can be dangerous.
Make an electrical safety poster to keep your friends and family safe when using electrical equipment around the home.
Filming Info
With the shirts, the buttons are on the back so I can’t even
put them on by myself. Normally, you can get dressed
by yourself but I literally needed dressing everyday.
It took eleven people to look after all the historical 1903 costumes.
Filming Info
The exterior shots of 1903 New York were actually filmed in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria is in Europe.
What other countries share a border with Bulgaria?
How far is it from Bulgaria to New York?
Did You Know…?
The episode starts at Niagara Falls where Nikola Tesla built the world’s first major hydroelectric powerplant in 1896.
Use the Internet to research hydroelectric power and draw a diagram explaining how it works.
Did You Know…?
There are two monuments of Nikola Tesla at Niagara Falls. One is on Goat Island (USA) and the other is in Queen Victoria Park (Canada).
What would you do to help people remember the important work of Nikola Tesla?
Can you design and create a monument of your own?
Did You Know…?
Look into the benefits of using electric cars and make a list of advantages and disadvantages.
Elon Musk decided to brand his electric cars with the name Tesla because he is a fan of Nikola Tesla.
Did You Know…?
Nikola Tesla was a great inventor but not a great businessman. Therefore, despite being a genius, he died penniless. At the end of the episode, Yaz is upset that Nikola Tesla does not know the impact he has on modern-day technology.
What you would you say to Nikola Tesla if you had the opportunity?
Quiz
In which year was this episode set?1
191319031893 1903
In which American state did the story take place?2
California Florida New YorkNew York
Quiz
Where does the episode begin?3
In the TARDISNiagara FallsNew York City Niagara Falls
What are the people protesting against at the beginning of the episode?4
Nikola Tesla’s AC electricity
Thomas Edison’s DC electricity
The Skithrainvasion
Nikola Tesla’s AC electricity
Quiz
Who did Nikola Tesla think was spying on him?5
Dorothy Skerritt
Thomas Edison
The Orb of Thassor
Thomas Edison
What was the name of the alien race that wanted Nikola Tesla to fix their ship?6
Skithra Slitheen SycoraxSkithra
Quiz
How did the Skithra know about Nikola Tesla?7
He replied to their message.
He was very famous.
They had met before.
He replied to their message.
What did the Doctor and her companions use to defeat the Skithra?8
The Orb of Thassor
The Tesla Tower
A sonic screwdriver
The Tesla Tower
