The Tesla Journal - Number 1 - 1981 Page 15

Tesla once suggested that the high conductivity regions of the earth's atmosphere be used to create a luminous layer analogous to a global aurora borealis: our whole planet would then be transformed into a single terrestrial lamp! He even thought of lighting up an area on the dark surface of the moon in order to demonstrate dramatically the incredible capabilities of his astounding achievements. Also, he imagined the possibility of constructing a solid earth-ring that would freely revolve around our planet's equator for the purpose of rapid global transportation. In History, The Anatomy of Time: The Final Phase of Sunlight (New York, Philosophical Library, 1980. p. 83, trans. by Dr. George V. Tomashevich), Božidar Knežević wrote: "Fire was originally known by its destructive qualities; electricity made its appearance in the hostile thunderbolt." Vivid meteorologic displays (especially sunsets and natural lightning) thrilled Nikola Tesla, who sought to tame latent electrical power for the benefit of all mankind. He probably would have been delighted to learn that quasars, pulsars, supernovae, solar winds, and black holes exist throughout intergalactic space. Certainly, he would have been elated to know that the big-bang theory in modern cosmology upholds the supposition of the explosive origin of our entire universe from a cosmic point of almost unimaginably concentrated and seemingly infinite energy. In later years, Tesla's terrestrial dreams were extended to embrace the whole matter/energy universe. From his own staggering cosmic vision, he anticipated humankind reshaping the galaxies to fulfill its own collective needs and desires! Like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla may be reguarded as one of the intellectual wonders of our world whose Faustian quest transcended the scientific and technological limitations of his own age. Although a prolific genius of startling originality, Tesla left it to others to follow through with the practical applications of his theoretical discoveries for solving the problems of the human condition and consequently improving its situation. Many of his wondrous ideas and fantastic visions will be fully understood and appreciated only when the average level of human comprehension rises to the lofty heights of his conceptions. As he always wished to, Nikola Tesla has indeed left "an unforgettable message to the centuries" (all of us and those yet to come will remain forever indebted to his visionary intellect). Although equally proud of and devoted to his Serbian people and his Croatian homeland as well as loyal and grateful to his adopted country, the United States of America, Tesla's genius transcended all these accidents of life to make him truly a citizen of the world. Dr. H. James Birx, Chairman Sociology/Anthropology Department Canisius College 2001 Main Street Buffalo, New York 14208 15