Tesla on Talking with Neighboring Planets

Persons who have forgotten Nikola Tesla will have their memories jogged by reading the Century Magazine. In this publication Mr. Tesla considers the important question, "Increasing Human Energy," with special reference to harnessing the sun's energy. Incidentally he proposes to communicate with the neighboring planets by means of wireless telegraphy if he can perfect his scheme. He sees no end to the distance to which the electric vibration can be projected, and says: "While I have not as yet actually effected a transmission of a considerable amount of energy, such as would be of industrial importance, to a great distance by this new method, I have operated several model plants under exactly the same conditions which will exist in a large plant of this kind, and the practicability of the system is thoroughly demonstrated. The experiments have shown conclusively that, with two terminals maintained at an elevation of not more than 30,000 to 35,000 feet above sea level, and with an electrical pressure of 15,000,000 to 20,000,000 volts, the energy of thousands of horse-power can be transmitted over distances which may be hundreds, and if necessary thousands, of miles. I am hopeful, however, that I may be able to reduce very considerably the elevation of the terminals-now required, and with this object I am following up an idea which promises such a realization."