[_Jim]

That sounds a lot like the way a transformer works,

That's what Tesla's specialty was, AC circuits including 'untuned' circuitry like tranformers and AC motors (he invented the brushless "AC induction motor"):

Single phase induction motor

By the way, a word to the wise, stay away from the pseudo science sites touting Tesla, instead, try a good cited, referenced and reseached book like one of the below:

BOOKS ON OR ABOUT NIKOLI TESLA

My Inventions (Nikola Tesla)
Advances in Tesla Technology (Nick Begich)
Fantastic Inventions of Nikola Tesla (David Hatcher)
In Searh of Nikola Tesla (David Peat)
Nikola Tesla: A Spark of Genius (Carol Donnermuth-Costa)
Nikola Tesla?s Earthquake Machine (Dale Pond)
Nikola Tesla Returns (Robert Reichtman)
Streams of Lenard and Roentgen (Nikoli Tesla)
TCBA Guide to the Colorado Springs Notes (Richard Hull)
Tesla: Man Out of Time (Margaret Cheney)
Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla (Marc Seifer)

[IamConservative]

May I be the first to predict the Telsa coil may win someone a Darwin award someday?

[unlearner]

"By the way, a word to the wise, stay away from the pseudo science sites touting Tesla"

Yes. I agree. One of the biggest problems learning about these achievements is the fringe science that gets mixed in with the real stuff.

Thanks again.