The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-26

Nicola Tesla, the electrician and scientist,
who had In course Of developments for some
time O project for instantaneous and stimuli
taneous communication TO all parts OF the
earth, and perhaps to some OF the nearer
planets. Mr.. Tesla's plan does not deal with
fireworks, or the illumination Of a large part
Of the earth's surface in hope Of attracting
tho attention of the dwellers on Mars, but
deals wholly with. the electric waves. In re-
gard to it. Mr.. Tesla said yesterday 70 Sun
reporter:
~ have had this scheme under considera-
tion for five or six years, and ] am becoming
more convinced every day that 1t Is based
upon scientific principles and Is thoroughly
practicable We know that electric disturb
anees on tho sun are productive OF similar
distur Dances on the earth In the form OF
thunder. showers. Now, why is Ii not equally
conceivable that disturbance ON the earth's
surface should produce tangible effect on
other planets. The Transmission OF disturb
ances. on the sun shows beyond doubt that
waveyof electricity are propagated through
all space.
"Ihe objection may be put forward that
sufficient electrical disturbance cannot be
made on the earth's surface. and that we
should be wholly dependent upon thunder
storms and other phenomena Of nature for
the success of our experiment. But, on the
contrary we can make all the artificial tbun-
der and lightning we want There Is no diff
Guilty In making electric apparatus with
spark gap Of q mile. and IL that did not prove
effective IL could be increased.
'Do not get the impression" continued Mr..
Tesla, "that the success OF the experiment is
in any way dependent upon the light, noise
or vibration accompanying such an electric
discharge. IL 10 wholly through the cleo
tricity waves, which are propagated through
the atmosphere and the ether beyond, that
we may hope to obtain any results. But II
there are intelligent inhabitants Of Mars or
any other planet, IL seems to me that We
do something to attract their attention.
This. OF course, Is the extreme application
OF this principle OF the propagation Of electric
waves. The same principle may be employed
with good effect Tor the transmission of news
to all parts Of the earth. II was formerly
thought that In order to get any power out Of
electricity conducting circuit must exist,
but IL hss been shown that the same results
may be accomplished with single wire. IL
is perfectly possible TO operate motor or an
electric light with just single line or wire
leading TO the apparatus. II naturally oc-
Cured to me that, as the earth ia a conduc-
tor. an electrical disturbances at one point,
causing change In the equilibrium Of the
earth's electricity. should be felt at all points
on the sarth's surface, and might be recorded
by properly constructed instruments.
"The possibilities Of such transmission Ct
intelligence cannot be exaggerated. Every
city on tine globe could be on an immense
ticker circuit. und a message sent from New
York would be in England, Africa, and Aus
tralia in an instant. Whsta grand thing IL
would be in times of war. epidemic, or psnic
In the money marketv'
Mr.. Tesla is at present engaged in finishing
his calculations and perfeotipr the apparatus
necessary for experiment in his new field of
investigation, and he hopes soon to be able to
show the practicabiIiiy Of his plan.