Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-04-16
We May Signal to Mars.

scientist, has had in course of develop
ment for some time past a PROJECT for
instantsneou, and simultaneous com
munication to all parts Of the earth,
and perhaps to some of the nearer plan
cts. Mr.. Teslas plan does not deal
with fireworks, OF the illumination of
a large part of the earth'' surface IN
hope of attracting the attention of the
dwellers on Mars, but deals wholly
with the electric waves. Inregard 10
it, Mr.. Tesla said yesterday to S,'''
reporter
u have had this scheme under con-
sideration for FIVE or six years, and
am becoming more convinced every
dav that it is based upon scientific
principles and is thoroughly prac-
ticable We know that electric dis
turbances on the sun are productive OF
similar disturbances on the earth IN
the form Of thunder showers. Now,
why is it not equally conceivable that
disturbance on the earths surface
should produce some tangible effect
on other planets The transmission
of disturbances on the sun shows be-
vond doubt that waves Of electricity
are propagated through all space.
The objection may be put toward
that sufficient electrical disturbance
cannot b. made on the sarths surface.
and that we should be wholly depend
ent upon thunder storms and other
phenomena of nature for the success
Of our experiment. But, on the con-
trary, we can make all the artificial
thunder and lightning we want
There is no difficulty in making cleo
tic apparatus with spark gap OF a
mile, and if that did not prove effective
it could be increased.
"Do not get the impression, con-
tinued Mr.. Tesla, THAT the success OF
the experiment is in any way depend
ent upon the light, noise, or vibration
accompanying such an electric dis
charge. 1t is wholly through the cleo
tric waves, which are propagated
through the atmosphere and the ether
beyond, that we may hope to obtain
any results. But if there are intslh-
! gent inhabitants Of Mars OF any other
planet, it seems to me that we can do
something to attract their attention
This, of course, is the extreme ap-
plication Of this principle Of the propa-
cation of electric waves The same
principle may be employed with good
effect for the Transmission of news TO
all parts of the earth 1t was former
" thought that in order to get any
power out of electricity conducting
circuit must exist, but It has been
shown that the same results may be
accomplished with a single wire. 1t
is perfectly possible to operate motor
or an electric light with Just a single
line Of wire leading to the apparatus.
1t naturally occurred to me that, as
the earth is a conductor, and electric
al disturbance at one point, causing
change in the equilibrium Of the earth 3
electricity, should be felt at all points
on the earth's surface, and might be
recorded by properly constructed H.
struments.
The possibilities Of such a trans
mission of intelligence cannot be eT-
aggerated. Every city on the globe
could be on an immense ticker circuit,
and message sent from New York
would be in England, Africa and
Australia in an instant What a
grand thing it would b. in time Of
war, epidemic or panic in the money
market r.
Mr.. Tesla is at present engaged in
finishing his calculations and perfect
ing the apparatus necessary for eE-
pertinent in his new field Of inyestiga-
ton, and he hopes soon to able TO show
the practicability Of his plan.-N T.