Slovenian trails.

What were they thinking in Maribor when they expelled Nicolas Tesla in 1879.

In the early 1880s, while living in Maribor as an engineer, Tesla spent much of his time drinking, playing cards, and gambling. His behavior often brought him into conflict with local authorities, leading to incidents like his arrest—an event that would seem inconsequential compared to his future accomplishments. Of course, nobody could have imagined that the man they detained for drunkenness would later become world famous as the inventor of the modern AC electricity supply system, dreaming of wireless transmission of electricity. Yet, at that point, the city authorities’ Geschäfts Protokoll simply recorded him as a tramp without a residence permit.

So, unfortunately, Tesla—who was born in Smiljan, (today Croatia) —cannot qualify for the title of the most renowned inventor to have lived in Slovenia. That distinction, without doubt, belongs to Peter Florjančič. Although his name may not be immediately familiar, almost everyone has benefitted from or used one of his many inventions.

Born in Bled in 1919, Florjančič spent much of his remarkable life abroad. His family was quite wealthy, owning several prominent hotels in Bled, such as the renowned Lakeview Inn and the Grand Bled Hotel. Their entrepreneurial spirit made Bled famous for its hospitality and picturesque scenery. Legend has it that he demonstrated his inventive spirit at the age of six, fashioning a makeshift sweatband from an old sock wrapped around his wrist. By the age of sixteen, he was already part of the Olympic ski-jump team at the 1936 Winter Games in Germany.

Dead or alive ?

Peter Florjančič’s extraordinary adventure abroad began in the turmoil of 1943, right in the heart of World War II. Faced with the grim prospect of being conscripted by the Nazis and sent to the Russian front, Peter made a daring choice—he faked his own death in a staged avalanche. To protect him further, his parents even held a somber mock funeral, fooling local authorities and the Germans alike. Only a handful of trusted friends knew the truth: Peter was alive and had found refuge at a camp in Bern, Switzerland.

It was in Bern, amidst the uncertainty and hardship of war, that Peter’s talent first gained real recognition. In the cold, echoing halls of the refugee camp, surrounded by wounded soldiers struggling to rebuild their lives, Peter wanted to make a real difference. He developed his inaugural successful invention—a weaving machine designed specifically so handicapped soldiers could work again, restoring not only their livelihoods but also their sense of purpose and dignity. The invention quickly revolutionized the process and caught the eye of influential Swiss industrialists, who saw both its practical value and its humanitarian impact. When the patent was purchased for an impressive 100,000 Swiss francs, Peter’s realized this would not only secured his financial future, but also confirm the worth of his creative spirit.

A glamorous life.

With his newfound wealth and a growing sense of possibility, Peter set his sights on Monte Carlo, the glamorous Mediterranean enclave renowned for its casinos and cosmopolitan elite. Arriving in the late 1940s, he was drawn to the city’s energy and creative spirit. It was here that he invented the compact perfume atomizer—a sleek spray bottle with a miniature pump, which quickly became a must-have accessory among fashionable women and the luxury perfume industry. The atomizer’s success not only brought Peter considerable wealth but also international fame, as it transformed the way perfumes were used and marketed.

Monte Carlo also became the stage for Peter’s colorful social life, as he mingled with some of the most celebrated figures of the era. He shared evenings at the baccarat tables with Marlene Dietrich, who was captivated by his charm and wit. Audrey Hepburn, ever elegant, admired his inventive mind and the practicality of his creations. Peter’s circle also included luminaries such as Prince Rainier of Monaco, the legendary Aga Khan, and artists like Picasso, who once sketched a quick portrait of Peter during a lively dinner party. Statesman Winston Churchill and King Farouk of Egypt—along with his confidant Ilhami Hussein, who helped finance several of Peter’s ventures—were counted among his friends. These relationships were not just superficial connections; there are many stories abound of Peter trading ideas with Churchill over cigars and brandy.

Inventions which made our lives easier.

Peter’s time in Monte Carlo was as much about creativity as it was about living life to the fullest. He frequented the city’s iconic casinos, starred in “The Monte Carlo Story” alongside Marlene Dietrich, and filed patents at an astonishing rate. Each invention, from the weaving machine to the perfume atomizer, marked a new chapter in his inventive journey—one shaped by risk, resilience, and an enduring passion for innovation.

Throughout his remarkable life, Peter Florjančič filed for around 400 patents—slightly fewer than Tesla’s 700. Both men amassed and lost vast fortunes through their inventive pursuits. However, unlike Tesla, Peter did not end his life in poverty or solitude. Among his many inventions, several stood out for their impact and popularity.

For instance, the plastic slide frame for projectors, which he regarded as his proudest achievement, was adopted by leading manufacturers such as Kodak and became a standard worldwide. Furthermore he also designed the first plastic ice-skates and patented a ski holder for hotels.

In addition to this, Florjančič’s inventive flair reached popular culture through his lighter with side ignition—a gadget that became James Bond’s signature accessory in the early films. The lighter featured prominently in classics like Dr. No (1962) and Goldfinger (1964), while a more modern version, the “Dunhill lighter”, made appearances in later films such as License to Kill (1989) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). These concrete examples highlight how his innovations not only shaped industry standards but also left a mark on global pop culture.

Perhaps the most lucrative of his creations was the plastic injection molding machine. This invention earned him one and a half million Swiss francs—a genuine fortune at the time—and secured his financial stability in later years.

As with many inventors, Florjančič’s journey was a patchwork of brilliant successes and memorable failures. “You win some, you lose some…” he used to say with a wry smile. Some of his inventions missed the mark entirely, while others were picked up, improved, and eventually became household staples—just not always by him.

Take, for instance, his plastic zipper: a clever design that zipped up neatly but, much to his frustration, would melt away when ironed. Then there’s the rather amusing tale of the airbag. Florjančič originally conceived it as a life-saving flotation device for cars—so if you plunged into water, the bag would inflate and keep you afloat. Unfortunately, his early prototypes had a habit of exploding at all the wrong moments, which led him to shelve the idea. However, the core concept didn’t vanish. Eventually, another inventor recognized its true potential for crash safety, refined the design, and as a result the modern airbag was applied first in 1973 by General Motors in the Oldsmobile Toronado.

What counts in life is not how old you are…

Life as it is for an inventor… Florjančič faced these ups and downs with remarkable ease. “An inventor must have the fantasy and the boldness of God,” he declared, never letting setbacks darken his optimism. Unlike Tesla’s tale, Florjančič’s story concludes on a brighter note. He eventually returned to Bled, where he continued to invent and inspire. “It is not how old you are,” he said, “It is about how you are old.”

His ‘second death’ in December 2020, at the age of 101, made headlines around the world. It is an understatement to say that, after his ‘fake death’ in 1943, he lived his live in full.

To borrow a phrase from James Bond: ‘You only live twice…’ Or, even more in Florjančič’s case.