Once Famous Radio Pioneer, Nikola Tesla, Long Forgotten, Now Brought Into Limelight

Nikola Tesla, long-forgotten wireless pioneer, inventor of early torpedo and battleship control by radio, transmission of power by wireless, inventor of the electric motor and speedometer, holder of hundreds of patents in all phases of the radio field, has been invited as an honored guest to attend the sixth annual Radio World's Fair, at which his world famous Tesla Coil will be exhibited.

The Tesla Coil is really the most spectacular of Tesla's inventions, though not the most important one. The basic principle involved is used in all wireless stations today, but its main use is stepping up of low voltages into millions of volts.

The Tesla Coil which will be demonstrated at the Radio World's Fair will be capable of producing a spark 48 inches long from a voltage of approximately 3,000,000 volts. This sort of apparatus was used by Tesla to demonstrate successfully the transmission of power by wireless. It was the reason for his building the famous Tesla Tower in Long Island, which was destroyed by the Government during the war in the belief that unknowingly it might be used for transmitting intelligence to enemy submarines.

Long before even leading scientists and engineers appreciated the fact that there was such a thing possible as an electrically-tuned circuit Tesla had worked out the basic theory of them and used them in the apparatus which he built for producing the high voltages and frequencies he required for his communication systems. His basic work in tuned circuits is, broadly, the foundation for the tuned elements used in radio transmitting and receiving sets as built today. His patents on this subject are dated in the latter 90s and the early years of the present century.

Tesla, now a man of 65, lives alone in one of New York's hotels largely from the proceeds which are still bringing him royalties. While a relatively poor man his inventions have produced millions for the various companies that exploited them.

A number of years ago he predicted a number of developments which will be witnessed at the Radio World's Fair. It is said that he invented the idea of tuning and directional radio and as far back as 30 years ago evolved the theory of television transmission which is substantially the same as that which has been realized today.