Power Flashed Through Space by Radio Will Run World, Says Tesla

NIKOLA TESLA AND SOME OF THE MARVELS HE SAYS WIRELESS TRANSMISSION OF POWER WILL MAKE POSSIBLE

(By EDWARD M. THIERRY.)

NEW YORK, Aug. 8. — Wireless transmission of power will be the next astounding and revolutionary development of science!

This is the promise of Nikola Tesla, famous electrical engineer and inventor — a promise he says will be carried into reality within two or three years.

"It s not a mere vision," said Tesla, in an authorized interview with NEA Service. "I have perfected this system in all its details and can transmit power to any terrestrial distance — say 12,000 miles — with a loss not. exceeding five per cent.

"Very soon such power will be available everywhere for purposes of peace as well as war.

"We shall heat and light homes and operate our factories by means of power generated from falling water and cheap fuel directly at the source of supply and flashed to us through space.

Trains Without Fuel

"Airplane and trains and ships will carry no fuel but will run by the transmitted energy. In war power generated thousands of miles away will be applied with such destructive effects of such intensity as to compel a quick cessation of hostilities."

Tesla sees in hydro-electric development the greatest possibilities, but not to the elimination of coal and oil.

"We shall have to depend first of all," he says "on the energy of fuel and next on that of falling water. We are bound to open up new sources of power, for we have daily evidence that energy is throbbing through space at an immense rate and it is merely a question of discovering means of capturing it.

"But no development of this kind conducive to peaceful progress of humans will be as important to the world and humanity as wireless transmission of power.

"What the world needs most at this time is the abolishment of barriers that separate nations and the harmonizing of interest. The wireless art is the most effective means to this end."

Atomic Energy Illusion

Atomic energy is not regarded by Teal as offering great prospect in power development. He calls this a "scientific illusion." and says that in disintegrating atoms so much energy is expended that it will not pay to liberate atomic energy for power purposes.

"In fact." Tesla continued. "most of the speculations about radium, for instance, are without foundation. The idea has been produced in the public mind that the power of this element is immense. Bu the truth is that coal is trillions on trillions of times more. powerful.

"A piece of radium will give off tremendous energy at a low rate through a period of 2500 years.

"Similarly, one cent invested at a compound interest of six per cent for a term of 2,500 years will field the fortune of Rockefeller multiplied by the number of 2 followed by 52 zeros.

"But who wants to wait that long?

"We want immediate results. Wireless power can be made available at once and in the most remote places. It is of great economic importance, but of immeasurably greater specific value.

"Think of being able to heat anl light a household, no matter how distant or inaccessible, by merely setting up a simple apparatus contained in a small box which can readily be carried about.

"Light bulbs will last forever, being merely exhausted hollow tubes.

"With wireless power no one — explorers, travelers, campers — need to be cut off from civilization and its comforts."

Who Tesla Is

Tesla describes himself as an "engineer and not a dreamer."

Backing his opinions is a long list of discoveries and inventions, among which his induction motor, wireless transmitter, and turbine are considered most important.

His alternating system is is in use all over the world.

A tall man of lean and powerful build, with scant black hair and penetrating blue eyes. Tesla at 65 has an flexible routine of long hours in his laboratory.