The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-08
TESLA'S LATEST DISCOVERY.
He Cam Cause an Electrical Disturb
ance That VIII Shake the World.
New York Journal

Nicola Tesla announced yesterday the
completion of his latest discovery-the ST.
multaneous transmission of messages by
means OF the earths electrical currents to
as many scattered points on the surface of
the globe as may be desired. This he re-
gards as by far his greatest achievement
t1e Will follow his usual custom and Law his
information before the world of science in
MS own words ana accompanied by his
own computations and conclusions. To a
lew lntlmates he gave a thrilling demon
stration of the operation of his device for
afrestlng and subJectipg to control under
natural laws the electrical substances in
and about the earth. His latest invention
device or discovery is to produce such a
disturbance Of the electricity of the earth
winch can be felt and noted simultaneously
at all parts of the globe.
Iesla mad his rooms in the laboratory on
d309uston street darkened. From a room
adjoining the one in which he and his Wis
1tors stood a current was turned on invisi-
bIy. A huge black disk hung a frame
about eight feet in diameter, from the
trodo seven inches in diameter. AS the
group gazed at this the apartment was
creased till it sounded like the rattle of
musketry. Bright flames shot from the
eeiectrode. not from pole to pole. as in or
binary demonstrations. Like fiery SER
penis the wavy coils of fame darted in
graceful lines around the disk The long
est sparks were fully eight feet from the
point when they burst into dazzling brill
fancy to the vanishing point. These cleo
trical sparks were undoubtedly the long
liar means 1t seemed like a terrific light
ming display, with the swapping, cracking
sound, displacing the reverberation Of
heavens artillery. and all remarked the
weird and awning effect of the exhibition.
What are you doing?" was asked Tesla.
II am producing" said he, IAN electrical
disturbance of intense magnitude, which is
continuing throughout the entire earth. In
other words, l am producing disturbance
of the earth's charge of electricity which
can be felt TO the uttermost parts of the
"And the result will be-"
"Ah" said Tesla his face lighting up and
his spare figure vibrant with pride and en-
thusiasm, that is almost incomprehensi-
BILE This electrical disturbance by means
Of certain simple instruments can be felt
and appreciated at any point of the globe
tire earth around without the aid or inter-
vention Of wires in any way at all"
w What Is the voitage?" Tesla was asked
finger and said quickly. AS far vol
tage is concerned, that is almost beyond
computation. Yet, let me tell you. / stood
in front of that flame and had that charge
shot through me and experienced no un-
pleasant sensation. Dangerous? Yes, 1t Is
dangerous and / shall not repeat the ex-
pertinent, for II exposes the blood TO a
terrific tension. IL those tongues OF living
fame touched an artery and IL burst, in
an instant one would be bloodless and life
less"
Practically then II. say. Queen Victoria
were to die. and these instruments for
picking up and appreciating the vibrating
ether were in place. a message could be
sent simultaneously to every quarter OF the
British empire. ana all her subjects APP
prised of her demise?" inquired a specta-
tor
Precisely. The shock transmitted from
the sending point would be appreciable any
where on earth. This IS my greatest and
latest discovery, which intend 10 give TO
the scientific world as soon as my data.
which Is now virtually complete. Is ar
ranged