The Tesla Patents - Commentary

On another page of this issue is given, practically in full, the text of the decision lately rendered by Judge Townsend, of the United States Circuit Court, in a suit alleging infringement of the patents granted to Mr. Nikola Tesla, upon the polyphase system of electrical transmission of power. The opinion reflects no little credit upon the learned judge's knowledge of electro-technical subjects. Whatever may be the history of the development of the polyphase system, there is no doubt that it has done more than any other single invention in the field of electrotechnics in the last fifteen years to advance and make possible the greater exploitation of electrical industries that we see about us to-day. The recognition given by Judge Townsend to Mr. Tesla is one that must be gratifying to him, and the text of the opinion, even to those not interested in the particular features of the matter in litigation, will be of peculiar interest as bearing upon the importance of the newer applications of the alternating current.