We’ve all heard it before: get at least eight hours of sleep for peak performance. Yet, history tells a different story.
Some of the greatest minds of all time—visionaries like Nikola Tesla, Leonardo da Vinci, and Thomas Edison—slept far less than what science deems necessary.
Could it be that sleep deprivation was their secret to genius, or were they simply outliers pushing the limits of human endurance?
The Man Who Hardly Slept
Nikola Tesla, one of history’s most brilliant inventors, was notorious for his extreme sleep habits.
According to John J. O’Neil’s biography Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla, Tesla barely slept as a child, often staying up all night reading by plugging the keyholes and cracks in his door to avoid being caught.
By adulthood, his sleep schedule became even more erratic.
Tesla reportedly only allowed himself two hours of actual sleep per night, plus short naps throughout the day.
This intense regimen came with consequences—at university, his professors warned that his relentless working habits were harming him.
Eventually, Tesla suffered a nervous breakdown, but even this did not deter him from continuing his work under extreme conditions.
Gilbert King at Smithsonian Magazine notes, “Tesla became a gambling addict, lost all his tuition money, dropped out of school, and suffered a nervous breakdown. It would not be his last.”
His insomnia persisted throughout his life, yet he continued to make groundbreaking discoveries in electricity, wireless energy, and robotics.
But did this sleep deprivation fuel his genius—or did it contribute to his later struggles?
The Polyphasic Sleeper
Another name frequently associated with unconventional sleep habits is Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most prolific minds in history.
Some claim he followed a polyphasic sleep cycle, a method where one sleeps in short intervals throughout the day rather than in one long stretch.
According to sleep researcher Claudio Stampi, “One of his secrets was a unique sleep formula: he would sleep 15 minutes out of every four hours, for a daily total of only 1.5 hours of sleep.”
This technique, if true, would have given him an additional 20 years of productivity over his lifetime.
However, modern researchers are skeptical.
Christopher Wanjek of LiveScience argues that da Vinci was more likely a biphasic sleeper, meaning he took two longer naps rather than tiny ones spread throughout the day.
Either way, it’s clear that his schedule was far from the typical eight-hour night.
The “Sleep is for the Weak” Mentality
Thomas Edison, the man behind the electric light bulb and the phonograph, was famously dismissive of sleep.
He saw it as a waste of time, believing that productivity should always take precedence.
Edison reportedly slept only three to four hours per night and often took short naps to compensate.
While his work ethic was legendary, some argue that Edison’s attitude toward sleep may have hurt him as much as it helped.
Unlike Tesla, Edison lived a long life, but his chronic sleep deprivation likely contributed to his irritability and sometimes controversial leadership style.
Do Short Sleepers Really Exist?
This is where things get interesting.
While these historical figures seemingly thrived on very little sleep, modern science largely debunks the idea that this is sustainable for most people.
The majority of humans require at least seven hours of sleep to maintain cognitive function, memory, and long-term health.
Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to everything from heart disease and obesity to impaired decision-making and mental health disorders.
However, a rare genetic mutation known as DEC2 has been discovered in a small percentage of the population.
Those with this mutation—sometimes called “short sleepers”—naturally function on just four to six hours of sleep per night without negative consequences.
Could Tesla, da Vinci, and Edison have had this mutation?
It’s possible, but given Tesla’s mental health struggles and Edison’s infamous mood swings, it’s more likely they simply forced themselves into extreme sleep deprivation.
So, Should You Sleep Less to Be More Successful?
Before you start setting alarms for two-hour naps and trying to function on minimal rest, consider this: most modern experts agree that sacrificing sleep leads to diminishing returns.
While short bursts of sleep deprivation can sometimes enhance creativity—think of those late-night brainstorming sessions—long-term lack of sleep leads to burnout, memory loss, and reduced problem-solving skills.
That said, some of history’s greatest minds seemed to defy this rule, whether due to sheer determination, an unusual genetic advantage, or the belief that their work was more important than rest.
Quality Over Quantity
Instead of trying to cut your sleep down to three or four hours, focus on improving sleep quality rather than sacrificing quantity.
Many successful individuals today, from athletes to CEOs, prioritize rest because they understand its role in optimal performance.
History may have glorified the sleepless genius, but today’s science tells us that true brilliance is often found in a well-rested mind.
So rather than idolizing extreme sleep deprivation, perhaps the best takeaway is this: maximize your waking hours, but don’t neglect the power of sleep.
Source: Digg
