New York Sun
July 11, 1934
Death-Ray Machine Described
Dr. Tesla Says Two of Four Necessary Pieces of Apparatus Have Been Built
Amplifying his birthday anniversary announcement of the prospective invention of
an electrical death-ray, or force beam, that would make any country impregnable
in time of war, Dr. Nikola Tesla says that two of the four pieces of necessary
apparatus already have been constructed and tested.
Four machines combine in the production and use of this destructive beam, which,
according to Dr. Tesla would wipe out armies, destroy airplanes and level
fortresses at a range limited only by the curvature of the earth. These four
are:
First, apparatus for producing manifestations of energy in free air instead of
in a high vacuum as in the past. This, it is said, has been accomplished.
Second, the development of a mechanism for generating tremendous electrical
force. This, too, Dr. Tesla says, has been solved. The power necessary to
achieve the predicted results has been estimated at 50,000,000 volts.
Third, a method of intensifying and amplifying the force developed by the second
mechanism.
Fourth, a new method for producing a tremendous electrical repelling force. This
would be the projector, or gun of the invention.
While the latter two elements in the plan have not yet been constructed, Dr.
Tesla speaks of them as practically assured. Owing to the elaborate nature of
the machinery involved, he admits it is merely a defense engine, though
battleships could be equipped with smaller units and thus armed could sweep the
seas.
In addition to the value of this engine for destruction in time of war, Dr.
Tesla said it could be utilized in peace for the transmission of power. He had
not developed ideas for receiving apparatus capable of transforming the
destructive beam into work units, but considered this merely a matter of detail.
No suggestion was made of what might happen if an enemy power obtained
possession of one of these receiving outfits, and when attacked by the
destructive beam simply put it to work in factories manufacturing munitions or
uniforms.
Another addition to the anniversary message of the famous inventor was a
positive declaration that he expected soon to construct apparatus that would
disprove the theories of modern astronomers that the sun gradually was cooling
off and eventually the earth would be unable to sustain life, as it would grow
too cold.