The Tesla Oscillator (July 30, 1897)

A New Electrical Machine That Will Shock the World.

Nikola Tesla, that wizard of the electrical world, has invented a new machine for transmitting electrical signals and power with only the earth and the air for conductors. The immense force generated by the machine, which Tesla calls an oscillator, can scarcely be estimated, as its inventor claims it will transmit electrical power of many millions of volts through the upper air to great distances, and makes the remarkable statement that the electrical disturbances excited by this new wonder can be felt all over the globe. Tesla's theory is that the earth and air are charged with electricity, and that as the waves are sent out from his apparatus with immense force the electricity in the earth and air is vibrated in much the same manner that the atmosphere in a rusher bag would be disturbed by the pumping of air into it. The waves radiate in all directions at once. The idea in the sending and reception of signals is to have instruments of great delicacy take up the vibrations of the oscillator, which would be made intelligible by a prearranged code of signals, but to insure the privacy of messages it would be necessary to use a secret code. The waves from the machine will travel with an almost immeasurable speed — something like several millions of miles per second. Tesla has been at work upon the apparatus for the last four or five years, and it is rapidly nearing perfection.

He is very reticent as yet regarding his discovery, although he has given several recent demonstrations of his invention. He will not permit a close inspection of the oscillator, nor give a technical description of the machine. It, however, somewhat resembles a solid wheel ten feet in diameter, fastened upright to a wooden screen. In the center of the wheel is a brass bail about six inches in diameter, from which radiate many wires in all directions toward the rim of the wheel. The position of the wires is important and they are placed with a great degree of care and accuracy. During the operation of the machine a beautiful shaft of silvery flame shoots from the brass ball out into the air for a distance of ten feet with an immense roar and crackle that is deafening. In appearance this discharge somewhat resembles the sparks from an induction coil, but it is on a scale so much larger that the comparison is unsatisfactory. — Cincinnati Enquirer.