Guides
Where Is The 'Nikola Tesla And Albert Einstein' Meme From? The Viral 'Genius' Reaction Image Explained
Two of history’s most famous minds have been unexpectedly at the center of a TikTok meme since late 2023, and it’s not exactly for their brilliance.
The "Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein" reaction image and image macro meme has garnered virality as a punchline that sarcastically frames stupidity as genius since first popping up in August 2023.
The stylized cartoon, which depicts caricatures of the two renowned scientists standing back-to-back, holding electricity and the universe in their hands, is used ironically to highlight the idiocy of whatever clip or post it is attached to.
So, where did this intense-looking image come from, and why is it being used under videos of people doing the exact opposite of something smart? Here’s what you need to know about the "Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein" meme.
Where Did The Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein Image Come From?
The image itself was created by caricature artist Jason Seiler for the 2010 book They Called Me Mad by John Monahan. It shows inventor Nikola Tesla and physicist Albert Einstein standing back-to-back, emphasizing their reputations as two of history’s greatest minds.
The artwork was uploaded to Seiler’s website in 2013 and circulated online throughout the mid-2010s, popping up on platforms like Tumblr, Pinterest and 9GAG. At the time, it was mostly shared in a straightforward or inspirational way, rather than as a joke.
That changed in August 2023, when a TikTok user posted one of the earliest known videos using the image. The clip featured Plants vs. Zombies gameplay with the Tesla and Einstein image placed at the bottom, gaining significant traction.
By September, the format spread quickly through slideshows and edits, turning the image into a recognizable meme format.
@crazymonkbannedaccount #shitposting #plantsvszombies #foryoupage #alberteinstein #pvz #nikolatesla ♬ оригинальный звук – позывной ТЕХАС
How Is The Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein Image Used In Memes?
Early examples featured Plants vs. Zombies gameplay, where chaotic or poorly thought-out strategies were framed as if they were brilliant.
@yoozuwu 1000Q 😈😈#plantasvszombis3 #pvz3 #pvz1 #pvz2 #plantasvszombies2 #plantasvszombies #yooz #pvzheroes #pvzheroes ♬ оригинальный звук – позывной ТЕХАС
As the meme took off, it became a go-to way to sarcastically label something as “genius.” The image is usually placed at the bottom of split-screen videos, acting as a punchline to whatever is happening above it.
@yoillerjhons #alberteinstein #nicolastesla #meme #gym @fan_de_Roxicake🤙 ♬ оригинальный звук – позывной ТЕХАС
The image is now widely used as a reaction meme, appearing under posts to exaggerate or mock so-called "big brain" moments.
What Are Some Related Memes?
Many similar reaction images are used ironically online, forming a broader category of memes that sarcastically comment on intelligence.
An IQ Too High?
"An IQ Too High?" is a reaction image and exploitable meme featuring a crow alongside the phrase “AN IQ TOO HIGH?” The image comes from a 2022 YouTube thumbnail by the channel Real Science and began spreading widely in late 2025 and early 2026, especially in TikTok comment sections as a sticker. Like the Tesla and Einstein meme, it’s used to sarcastically comment on intelligence, usually implying the opposite of what it says.
What Are Some Examples Of 'Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein' Memes?
@volosataiajopa даже здесь они вмесе
@ok_thats_all math illusion #alberteinstein #nikolatesla #math #edit #meme ♬ оригинальный звук – позывной ТЕХАС
@primalchiki69 #funny #funnyvideos #humor #alberteinstein #nikolatesla #meme #memes #fyp #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #fypage #foryou #trending #viral #viralvideo ♬ original sound – Primal Chiki
@verseae the long awaited edit🥹#einstein #alberteinstein #nikolatesla #fyp #edit #viral #animation #anas #tmnt ♬ original sound – anas
For the full history of the 'Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein' meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry.
