1886: Tesla's Winter Of Suffering Early New York City sewer workers. 1886: Tesla's Winter Of Suffering Betrayed by men he trusted, Tesla considered the winter of 1886/1887 a time of "terrible headaches and bitter tears." He was forced to work as a ditch digger for $2.00 per day and questioned the value of his education. Early American construction workers. 06 March 2017 Prev Next