The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-06
TESLA'S LATEST MARVEL.
Miracles Of Science That will
Amaze a Wondering World.

Ne" 1ork, Aug. 5.-Nicola Tesla an
nounces che completion of his latest dis
covery-the Simultaneous transmission
OF messages by--means of the earth's cleo
tricat currents to as many scattered
points ON the s"rface of the globe as may
be desired. This he regards as by far his
greatest achievement. He Will follow
MS usuai custom and lay his information
before the world of science in his own
words and accompanied by mis- own CON-
putations and conclusions.
10 few inmates he gave thrilling
demonstration OF the operation of his de-
vice Tor arresting and subjecting to con-
troll under natural laws the electrical
substances in and about the earth. His
latest invention, device or discovery is to
produce such disturbance of the cleo
triclty of the earth which can he felt and
noted simultaneously at all parts of the
globe.
Tesla had his rooms in the laboratory on
Houston street darkened. From room
ADJOINING the one In which he and his
visitors stood n current was turned on in
visibly. A huge black disk hung ON a frame
about eight feet in diameter, from the
center OF which protruded a brass cleo.
trode seven inches in diameter. AS the
group eaZed at this the apartment was
hlled with n cracking sound, which in
u
musketry. Bright flames shot from the
electrode, not from pole to pole, as in or
binary demonstrations. Like fiery SER
penis the waivy coils of flame Larted in
graceful lines around the disk. The
longest sparks were fully eight feet from
the point when they burst into dazzling
brilliancy to the vanishing point. These
electrical sparks were undoubtedly the
longest flashes of. light--ever produced by
similar means.
1t seemed like a terrific lighting dis
play, with the swapping, cracking sound
displacing the reverberation of heavens
artillery. aud ali remarked the weird and
awinG effect of the exhibition
what are you doing?" was asked
Tesla.
81 am producing" said he, can cleo
trical disturbance of intense magnitude,
which is continuing throughout the en-
tire earth. Ia other words, am produce
ing n disturbance of the earth's charge of
electricity, which can be felt in the utter.
most parts Of the earth"
And the result will be?''
"Ah," said Tesla, his face lighting up
and his spare figure vibrant with pride
and enthusiasm, chat is almost incom-
prehensible. The electrical disturbance,
by means of certain simple Instruments,
can be felt and appreciated ut any point
OF the globe. In this way messages can
be sent the entire earth around and be
taken up Mt any part of the earth without
the aid or intervention OF wires in any
~ay at ALL"
"what is the VOLTAGE" Tesla was
asked.
He motioned expressively, with his
lone finger, and said quickly: GAS far
as voltage is concerned, that is almost be-
yond computation. Yet, let me tell YOU,
stood in front of that nameandhad'that
charge shot through me and experienced
ne unpleasant sensation. Dangerous?
Yes. it Is dangerous, and I shall not re-
peat the experiment, for it exposes the
blood to Il terrific tension. If those
tongues of living flame touched an artery
and it burst, in an instant one would be
bloodless and lifeless.''
Practically theu if, say, Queen Victo.
ria were to die,and these instruments for
picking up and approaching the vibrat-
ing ether were in place, message
could be sent simultaneously to every
quarter of the British empire, and all
her subjects apprised of her demiseY' in
quired spectator.
Precisely. The shock transmitted from
the sending point would be apprecable
anywhere on earth. This is my latest
and greatest discovery, which I intend to
give to the scientific word as soon as my
data. which is now virtually complete, is
arranged"