Nikola Tesla FBI Files - Page 78

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

TO            :  MR. TROTTER                              DATE : 12-6-60

FROM      :  A. K. Bowles

SUBJECT :   NIKOLA TESLA (DECEASED)
                     INFORMATION CONCERNING

        [REDUCTED] telephoned December 5 and was referred to Ident by switchboard because he wanted to talk with someone in charge of records of deceased. [REDUCTED] said he is making a research study for U. S. Air Force on subject of geophysics. His deadline is ten days from now. [REDUCTED] said he just discovered a sentence in a book by John J. O'Neill entitled "The Prodigal Genius – The Life of Nikola Tesla," which states the FBI took custody of papers from Tesla's safe after his death in New York City in 1943. Tesla was a world-famous Yugoslav scientist and inventor in the electrical field who died January 7, 1943, in New York City. [REDUCTED] requested immediate access to Tesla's scientific works which may shed light on [REDUCTED] research study. I told [REDUCTED] we would have somebody from our Boston Office contact him immediately.

        Bureau file 100-2237 shows no investigation of Tesla has been conducted by Bureau. Since erroneous statement concerning FBI's taking custody of papers from Tesla's safe after his death appeared in O'Neill's book published in 1944, Bureau has received numerous inquiries from scientists desiring to review Tesla's writings. Each inquiry has been answered by stating FBI did not participate in handling Tesla's effects, but information has come to our attention that Office of Alien Property of Department of Justice may have examined Tesla's effects. (File indicates that representatives of Office of Alien Property did actually review Tesla's possessions, including his writings, but file does not show what final disposition was made of Tesla's possessions.)

        A teletype to Boston Division was prepared, but before it was sent [REDUCTED] telephoned again to furnish me the exact page in O'Neill's book in which he refers to the FBI. At that time I told [REDUCTED] the statement in the book was untrue -- that the FBI had not examined or taken custody of Tesla's papers. I suggested to [REDUCTED] that he might contact Office of Alien Property. (Therefore, teletype to Boston was not necessary.)

ACTION:

        For record.

Bu file 100-2237
1- Mr. Belmont