Why are these inaccuracies reported at fact?
It's commonly called gossip. People with an unhealthy need to impress others with their "vast knowledge" love to repeat sensational information, true or not.
An acquaintance of mine, now deceased, who was creative but exhibited serious emotional problems might have been classified as a compulsive liar. Everything he said was exaggerated almost to the point of being ridiculous. If he bought a screwdriver for $4.95, he'd tell you he paid $32.95 because it was made with a special alloy available only in certain parts of the country at certain times of the year. He was very desperate to impress. The Tesla myth is much like this.
The people who put Tesla on the highest pedestal usually have very little accurate knowledge of the history of technology, or of technology itself. The need to sell books, magazine articles and the need to impress others leads to gross exaggerations. Many other players in early development of electricity are Oliver Heaviside, Heinrich Hertz, Silvanus Thompson, Elihu Thompson, Ferranti, Siemens, Fessenden, Steinmetz, George Campbell and many others. Their discoveries and inventions have created a far better life for all of us. Most of what Tesla tinkered with never panned out. Talking about the accomplishments of these other prominent scientist/engineers won't impress anyone, despite the fact that their work is as important or more so, because most people have never heard of these pioneers.
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