What Was Tesla’s Daily Routine?

Tesla slept only a few hours each night.

He usually walked the half hour from his hotel to his laboratory, where he arrived around 10 am. The afternoons were for experimenting. He would dine promptly at 8:10 and only the head waiter would be allowed to serve him. He usually read the evening papers at his regular table by the window. Tesla dined alone, except when he entertained a group of reporters or investors, and he often returned after dinner to his lab for several hours of additional work.

He visited barbers three times a week for half-hour scalp massages. He never ate lunch. He took warm baths, followed by lengthy cold showers. To stimulate his brain cells, he walked regularly, often up to ten miles a day, and he would flex his toes one hundred times before going to bed in order to relieve stress. Concerned about neatness, he dress meticulous, regularly in a black derby, silk shirt, cane, green suede high-tops, and gray suede gloves – but absolutely no jewelry.