News Notes

6th Global Sciences Congress

Inventor Robert Teal demonstrated the MAGNIPULSION engine at the 6th Global Sciences Congress held last August in Denver, CO. What's a MAGNIPULSION engine?

USPS Query

Answer this USPS question and win a grand prize. Is it possible for a person to have four addresses while remaining in the same house? You say, move the house 4 times. WRONG! When I moved to this house, the address was (1)34 Amy Lane, Glens Falls, NY 12801. This became (2)RD3 Box 181. Then, the USPS notified me that I now lived at (3)RR6, Box 181. However, my current address is (4)RR6, Box 181, Queensbury, NY 12804. Count 'em, that's four mailing addresses while living in the same house on the same street. As luck would have it, just prior to the last change I had ordered 1000 TCBA NEWS mailing envelopes and 1000 fact sheets imprinted with the old address (swell). So, if the USPS returns your letter marked NO SUCH ADDRESS you will know why.

EXPLANATION: The TOWN OF QUEENSBURY, adjacent to the CITY OF GLENS FALLS, now has its own ZIP code. Mail, however, continues to be distributed by the USPS in Glens Falls. Queensbury was once a heavily wooded and quiet undeveloped area. Now, it is becoming the fastest growing community in New York State. The community is also suffering the same environmental illnesses of urban America. Show me a place that is safe from this destruction and I'll move there. (There just ain't no such place). Anyway, the USPS here advises us that the mail will be delivered here regardless of which address you use. Can I depend on the USPS?

ZAP Show at Rochester

Word from the grapevine has it that the new ZAP show at the Strasenburgh Planetarium in Rochester (NY) is the work of TCBA members Jim Hardesty and John Wiesner. The two partners have also collaborated on shows for charity as well as children's scare shows on Halloween. Hardesty and Wiesner (sounds like a 1930's vaudeville team) call themselves “tsvai meshugeneh kinder” (two crazy kids).

Dueling Coils

One of the highlights of the AWA Convention held at Canandaigua (NY) this past September was the demonstration of two large Tesla coils. Also shown were historic and scientific experiments using high voltages in a vacuum, principles of X-ray production, and a number of smaller Tesla coils. The lecture-demonstration program was given by Jim Hardesty and John Wiesner.

Any Complaints?

As of this writing (Oct. 24), there have been no complaints regarding the price increase. Many who wrote hailed TCBA NEWS as “a bargain at any price.” A few sent in extra funds to help those not able to reach the $20 fee. All extra funds are credited to the donor's account. Only when there is a request for financial consideration are the extra funds transferred.

There were notes from 3 members complaining over the confusion of pricing. The Masthead (inside cover) of Volume 7, #4 stated the price as $18 while column one of page one announced a new pricing schedule. The notice in column one referred to those members renewing for their 1989 subscription. The $18 in the Masthead applied only for the 1988 issues of Volume 7. It would have been incorrect to place the $20 fee in place of the $18. I can see no reason by anyone renewing their subscription for 1989 should be confused. Why, then, did several members send in $16? Beats me. (I think someone is playing games with TCBA - tsk).

IRS Special of no Interest to the Membership

Also of the same date mentioned above, only one member inquired about the offer of a TCBA NEWS subscription at a reduced rate. Is there a message here? Hmm.

Tesla Streets & Avenues

The Los Angeles area has a Tesla Street, Tesla Terrace, and a Tesla walk reported the AMERICAN SRBOBRAN.

There is also a Tesla Street on Long Island not far from the site of the Tesla Wardenclyffe project (tip from Leland Anderson).

Senior Citizen Gives Science Lectures

TCBA member Glenn Harrison retired five years ago as a senior technical writer for Honeywell. Now, he spends Fridays as a volunteer at the Science Museum of Minnesota giving demonstrations on technical subjects such as laser technology, high voltage electricity, strobe lights and cryogenics. The Star Tribune carried a nice color photo of Glenn and 9 year old Lauren Berdofe. Lauren was connected to a small Tesla coil while an unconnected fluorescent bulb held in her hand glowed brightly.

Call for Help - No Answers

This is still being written on October, 24th and TCBA's request for help in obtaining photocopies of the articles in early ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTER and EVERYDAY MECHANICS issues brought no response. It will be a couple of months before Volume 8 goes in the mail. Maybe someone will provide some assistance. If so, I'll let you know about it in the April issue.

The Tesla-Marconi Club

“The Tesla-Marconi Club is fast becoming a center for those interested in radio” reported a 1933 West Allis (Wisconsin) High School newspaper. Among those presenting radio demonstrations was one Gerhard Legel. Gary has continued to give lecture demonstrations. This past year, he presented about a half-dozen Tesla coil lectures. Bill Wysock collaborated with Gary in several of the programs.