Nikola Tesla Books
CHAPTER XVII. A FOREWORD ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR THE STAGE In this chapter, the aim will be to present comprehensive directions covering the design and construction of the apparatus used in an elaborate electrical act suitable for the vaudeville stage. While many so-called electrical acts are already in the field, the effects produced are comparatively insignificant when one stops to consider the possibilities in this form of entertainment. No doubt most readers have seen the offerings referred to and the "stunt" of taking several thousand volts of electricity through the human body is by no means a new one at the present day. However, it is thought that the equipment to be described will offer many opportunities for the enlargement of the previously attempted exhibitions of the wonders of electricity with the result that the production, from a theatrical standpoint, will be sensational. In this apparatus, the high-frequency current plays a very important part; indeed, many of the experiments are wholly dependent upon this form of current for their presentation. Therefore, it is thought advisable briefly to reiterate the nature of this current and its physiological effects upon the human body. It was discovered many years ago that if an alternating current of electricity be caused to oscillate with sufficient frequency, that is, to change its direction of flow a sufficient number of times per second, its 177
