The Great Radio Controversy album is titled after the controversy about the identity of the inventor of radio. It is posed that Serbian engineer Nikola Tesla (whom the band is named after) is the true inventor of radio, while the Italian Guglielmo Marconi took the credit and is widely regarded as having the title. The album's inner sleeve recounts this story.

The band derived their name, certain album and song titles, and some song content from events relating to inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla.