My understanding is that yeah, Tesla was smart and people like to feel like they identify with someone who is misunderstood, and want to stick it to the man by rejecting the business sense of Edison. Tesla could come up with some ideas, but it was Edison who can make new trends.

What is the history behind what makes Edison this super bad guy, and Tesla this misunderstood genius?

I also remember reading somewhere that this Tesla hype is courtesy of "geek" culture trying to identify with unsung heroes and corporatism is evil or whatever, but I'd like to have the record straight for my own benefit.