CIA-RDP96-00789R002900420001-4

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2 March 1992
SG1J
D.I.A., Pentagon
Washington, D.C.
20310
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The enclosed file is for your information.
Copies will be sent
to J. Verona and
SG1J
To be clear about why we have not included more specific
information regarding "Exhibits A-Q" it is that the material, by
itself or with other documentation, may have significant commercial
and military value. Additionally, it will serve our agenda and we
are not obliged to release materials to anyone at this time.
As other files close, we will send out similar information
concerning that specific file.
Respectfully,
Mr. Leonard J. Pearlstein,Jr.
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TESLA, NIKOLA (Dr.)
Research, Experiments, and Devices
U.S. Air Force Involvement
"Exhibits A-Q"
C
C
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Exhibit
Date
Pages
11
11
43
D
11\08\35
14
E
05\12\40
13
F
G
H
07\28\36
08
10\2637
03
12\15\37
02
01\07\38
01
0405\38
02
I
J
K
12\27\41
01
L
M
N
03\05\04
429-431
10\16\27
457&460
05\24\28
204-214
Q
04\20\35
04
.
.
1
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c
Schedule of Exhibits A-Q
A
B
17
circular
10
05
19+1
15

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ABSTRACTS OF DE. NIKOLA TESLA'S WRITINGS
ECTATNID AS EXHIBITS
FOR THE ALIEN PROPERTY CUSTODIAN
1.
On January 26 and 27, 1943, an examination was made of the
technical papers of Dr. Nikola Tesla which, after his decease, had
been stored in the Manhattan Warehouse in New York City. This ex-
amination was made for the purpose of determining if any ideas of
significant value in the present United States war effort could be
found among his possessions. Participating in this examination were
Mr. John C. Newington, New York: Office of the Alien Property Custodian;
Mr. Charles J. Hedetniemi, Washington Office of the Alien Property
Custodian; Dr. John G. Trump, Office of Scientific Research and De-
velopment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachu-
setts; Willis George, Office of Naval Intelligence, Third Maval Dis-
trict; Edward Palmer, Chief Yeoman, USUR; John J. Corbett, Chief Yeo-
MEC, USER.
2.
The following papers, which are regarded as typical of Mikola
Tesla's writings and thoughts in the period 1925 to 1942, were removed
for the purpose of record and are listed below in the random order in
which they were found, together with a brief individual abstract.
Exhibit A
"Possibilities of Electrostatic Generators" - an undated
article probably written about 1934 discussing the possibili-
ties, as a source of high-voltage D-C power, of the Van do
. Graaff type of electrostatic belt generator. The article
states correctly the electrostatic principles employed in this
device and points out that such generators are not suitable
for commercial high-power applications, though of undoubted
scientific value. Tesla's wireless tower, erected in 1902 on
Long Island, is stated in this memorandum to have been charged
to 30 million volts.
Exhibit B
"Reactive Forces of Glycerine and Dynamite" - an undsted
memorandum involving sono calculations of the explosive power
of certain compounds and then deviating to a discussion of tho
possibility of transmitting power by mechanical vibrations
along the earth's crust.
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2.
Exhibit C
"Process of De-Gassifying, Refining. and Purifying Netals" -
a 41-page memorandum probably written about 1950 dealing with
the above subject and proposing new theories of capillarity and
surface tension. This correspondence indicated that this had
been submitted to various industrial companies.
Exhibit D
"Reply to Autory re 'the generation of high voltage and the
acceleration of charged particles?" - This document, dated Ho-
vember 8, 1935, answers questions raised by Soviet engineers and
scientists regarding Tesla's proposal of May 16, 1935. From
this answer, it is deduced that the proposal concerned the gez-
eration of high voltages by electrostatic means. These means
consisted of a high-voltage terminal presumably supported on an
insulating column and charged by a gaseous charge conveying
medium passing between ground and terminal. The ideas contained
in this memorandum are fairly similar to the belt-conveyor
electrostatic generator methods proposed by Van de Graaff and
do not appear to offer any umusual features.
(
Exhibit E
"Art of Telegeodynamics, or Art of Producing Terrestrial
Motions at Distance" - This document, in the form of a letter
dated June 12, 1940, to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing
Compary, proposes a method for the transmission of large amounts
of power over vast distances by means of mechanical vibrations
of the earth's crust. The source of power is a mechanical or
electromechanical device bolted to some rocky protuberance and
imparting power at a resonance frequency of the earth's crust.
The proposed scheme appears to be completely visionary and un-
worksble. Westinghouse's reply indicates their polite rejectica
of this idoa.
-..
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Exhibit F
"New Art of Projecting Concentrated Mon-Dispersive Energy
through Natural Media" - This undated document by Tesla describes
an electrostatic method of producing very high voltages and ca-
pable of very great power. This generator is used to accelerate
charged particles, presumably electrons. Such a beam of high-
energy electrons passing through air is the "concentrated non-
dispersive" means by which energy is transmitted through natural
madia. As a component of this apparatus there is described an
open-ended vacuum tube within which the electrons are first ac-
celerated.
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3.
Exhibit 7 (cont.)
The proposed scheme bears come relation to present means
for producing high-energy cathode rays by the cooperative use
of a high-voltage electrostatic generator and an evacuated
electron acceleration tubo. it is well known, however, that
such devices, while of scientific and medical interest, are
incapable of the transmission of large amounts of pover in
ron-disperned beams over long distances. Tecla's disclosures
in this memorandum would not enable the construction of workable
Combinations of generator and tube even of limited power, though
the general elements of mich a combination are succinctly do-
scribed.
Exhibit G
A circular by Carol Bird, dated September 10, 1938, en-
titled "Tremendous New Power Soon to Be Unleashed". This de-
scribes in popular style some biographical information concerz-
ing Nikola Tesla and some ideas for the transmission of power
on which he is stated to be working. It appears that the
method of transmission is by the mechanical resonance method
outlined in Exhibit 7, aboro.
Exhibit H
This exhibit consists of a series of letters to represen-
tativos of the British Government dated August 28, 1936; Octo-
ber 26, 1937: December 15, 1937; and April 5, 1933. It includes
a reply dated January 7, 1933, from the British Government.
These letters offer to the British Government, for a fsa, the
disclosure of a means for accelerating to high enorgies minute
particles. Such beans would constitute a death ray capable of
the protection of Great Britain from air attack.
The method proposed is essentially that described in Echi-
bit F above. Following the initial letter dated August 28,
1936, the subsequent letters attempt to clear up tho misunder-
standings" of the British representatives and to expedite their
acceptance of the Tesla proposal. The British reply dated Janu-
ary 7 is a polite expression of disinterest in the proposal.
Exhibit I
. An undated memorandum written after Tesla's 79th birthday
describing several discoveries which he believed he had mado.
The first related to a dynamic theory of gravity which is do-
scribed as not yet completed. The second stated as a physical
truth the belief that "there is no energy in catter other than
that received from the environment". This second statement,
which is discussed at lengthin this and other writings of Tesla,
indicates hia disbelief in the existence of atomic or muclear
onargy.
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4.
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Exhibit J
"A Method of Producing Powerful Radiations" - an undated
memorandum in Tesla's handwriting describing la new process of
generating powerful rays or radiations". Who memorandum reviews
the works of Lenard and Crookes, describes Tesla's work on the
production of high voltages, and finally in the last paragraph
gives the only description of the invention contained in the
memorandum. This description is as follows: "Briefly stated,
my new simplified process of generating powerful rays consists
in creating through the medium of a high-speed jet of suitable
fluid a vacuous space around a terminal of a circuit and sup-
plying the same with currents of the required tension and volume.".
Exhibit K
A lotter to prospective licenseos on telegeodynamics dated
December 27, 1941. This is a single-page letter with the type-
written signature of Dr. Filola Tesia, in which he addresses
himself to the prospective licensees of telegeodynamics, states
that over a half million dollars was spent on this development
with funds contributed by the Morgans, Crawford, J. J. Astor,
and Fish, as well as commercial organizations, and states this
to be a new art with which "unbelievable wonders can be achieved".
Exhibit L
Tesla's "New System of Fluid Propulsion". This is an un-
dated memorandum of about 20 typewritten pages describing a sys-
tem of fluid propulsion in which the conversion from hydraulic
to rotary mechanical power is achieved by passing the fluid be-
tween flat circular disks, shaft-mounted and enclosed in a cas-
: .. ing.
This memorandum written about 1925 describes in general
torms a kind of hydraulic turbine which seems practical. There
is copious evidence among the other of Tesla's papers that this
idea was generally disclosed to appropriate individuals and = :
that it received favorablo comment and possibly some use. Some
of these comments are contained on the last page of the exhibit.
Exhibit M
"The Power of the Future" - a memorandum apparently written
by Tesla and probably in response to a. request from some popular
science group for an cpirion as to the source of future power.
This memorandum reviews the gradual evolution of power sources.
It discusses in some detail the possibility of atomic power and
states as his opinion that atomic power is not feasible. The
discussion of atomic energy is apparently confused to some extent
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5.
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Exhibit M (cont.)
with planetary energy. The article further discusses the
subject of wind, tides, Lightning, and water power as a source
of commercial energy. The last sentence of this memorandum
states: "With my wireless system, it is practicable to trans-
mit electrical energy at a distance of twelve thousand miles
with a loss not exceeding 5 per cent. I can conceive of no
advances which would be core desirable at this time and more
beneficial to the further progress of mankind." This memorandum
Constitutes an interesting generalized discussion of the various
sources of power. It is qualitatively correct for the most
Part except probably in that portion which deals with atomic
power.
Exhibit N
"The Transmission of Electric Energy Without Wires" - an
article by N. Tesla in the Mectric World, March 5, 1904, pages
429-431. A general, somewhat biographical article on fesla's
early work with some speculation on the possibility of long-
distance wireless transmission of large amounts of energy.
Exhibit 0
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"World System of Wireless Transmission of Energy" - an
article by N. Tesla in Telegraph and Telephone Are, October 16,
1927, pages 457 and 450. An article which traces the early
work on the production and transmission of electromagnetic ra-
diations, describes Tesla's efforts to increase the amount of
power which can be transmitted without wires and concludes
with a proposed "World System" for the wireless transmission
of both power and communicationa. No workable disclosure of
a means for accomplishing this is included, and such gonerali-
ties as suggest the approach which Posla had in mind do not
seem capable of accomplishing the desired resuit.
Exhibit P
"Interview with Dr. Nikola Tesla" by Alden P. Armagnac
for Popular Science Monthly, May 24, 1928. An 11-page memoran-
dum written in popular conversational style describing an in-
terview with Dr. Teala and reporting his present work. This
report includes statements on a new airplane, on rocket ships,
on the wireless transmission of power, ' on a world system plan
for the transmission of speech and television, on the imprac-
ticability of harnessing atomic energy, on radio activity, and
on the acceleration of charged particles, such as cathode rays,
by high voltages.
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6.
Exhibit Q
An agreement dated April 20, 1935, between Nikola Tesla
and the Autorg Trading Corporation, in which Tesla agreed to
supply plans, specifications, and complete information on a
method and apparatus for producing high voltages up to fifty
million volts, for producing very small particles in a tube
open to air, for increasing the charge of the particles to
the full voltage of the high potential terminal, and for pro-
jecting the particles to distances of a hundred miles or more.
The maximum speed of the particles was specified as not less
than 350 miles per second. The receipt of $25,000 fee for
this disclosure was acknowledged in this agreement, which was
signed by Nikola Tesla and by A. Bartanian of the Antorg Trad-
ing Corporation. The method referred to in this agreement is
apparently that described in Exhibit F, above. It is probable
that Exhibit D, above, is an effort by Tesla to clear up the
questions raised by Soviet engineers after the subject dis-
closure had been made. There is no evidence that the inven-
tions and information referred to in this agreement are other
than those described in a number of Tesla's papers and pub-
lished articles. It should therefore be expected, and it is
substantiated by Exhibit D, that this disclosure subsequently
proved unworkable.
3.
An examination of several items of scientific apparatus among
the Teala efforts at the Manhattan Warehouse and in a dopowit box at the
Governor Clinton Hotel showed those to be standard electrical measuring
instruments in common use several decades ago.
O.L. G. Trump
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JOHN G. TRUMP,
Technical Aide.
Division 14, NDRC.
Mass. Inst. of Tech.,
Cambridge, Mass.,
January 30, 1943.
JGT/G
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Retyped for clarity
KOV V URRM NR168 WD
From ATSC Wrightfld Ohio 212115Z
To CG AAF Wash DC
GRNC
21 Aug 1945
TSPMP2A-8-1259 reference telephone conversation this date between
major Falconer CMA HQ CMA ATSC and Mr Weinland CMA HQ CMA ATSC PD
Request CG CMA ATSC be furnished confirmation of VOCG for the TD of
Pvt Bloyce D Fitzgerald CMA 36916980 from 4000TH AAFBU CMA Wright
Field CMA Dayton CMA Ohio to Wash DC for a period of seven paren 7
paren days for the purpose of securing property clearance on enemy
impounded property PD
Singed PERS and BASE S[ ]RV Div
JM
(
Certified True Copy
\s\ signed
Major A.C.
:
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Office of the Alien Property Custodian
Mr. Loyd L. Shaulis, Secretary
Room 603
National Press Building
Washington 25, D.C.
Attention Mr. Donald Sham:
Dear Sir:
Confirming the conversation of Pvt. Bloyce D. Fitzgerald of the
Air Technical Service Command with you on 28 August 1945, will you
please foward photostatic copies of the material from the estate of
Dr. Nikola Tesla as follows:
Exhibits
A
J
B
K
D
L
E
M
F
N
0
G
H
I
P
Q
It is understood that included in the above exhibits is a letter
from Dr. Nikola Tesla to J.P. Morgan, Esq., dated 29 November 1934
and a document entitled "Process of Degassifying, Refining, and
Purifying Metals."
The exhibits of Dr. Nikola Tesla's material will be used in
connection with projects for national defense by this department.
All of the material will be returned to your office within a
reasonable length of time.
It will be greatly appreciated if you will send the requested
material to the Air Technical Service Command, Equipment Laboratory,
Control Equipment Branch, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, to the
attention of Lt. Robert E. Houle, Research and Evaluation Unit.
Very Truly Yours,
\s\ Signed, Maj. AC
For:
T.B. Holliday
Col., Air Corps
Chief, Equipment Laboratory
Propulsion and Accessories Subdivision
Engineering Division
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September 11, 1945
Col. T.B. Holliday
Chief, EL-PAS\ED
Air Technical Service Command
Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
Dear Col. Holliday:
Reference is made to your letter of September 5, 1945,
requesting certain photostated materials in possession of this office
from the estate of Dr. Nikola Tesla. Pursuant to your request the
materials listed on the attached have been forwarded by registered
mail to the Air Technical Service Command, Equipment Laboratory,
Control Equipment Branch, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, in care of Lt.
Robert H. Houle.
These data are made available to the Army Air forces by this
office on the understanding that they are to be used by you in
certain experiments that are being made for national defense
purposes. When the documents have served your purpose, please return
them to this office.
Sincerely Yours,
\s\
Loyd B. Shaulis
Secretary
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TSEPG
(TSEPL-3N2)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Court House Building
New York, New York
SG11
TSEPL-3N2\R[ ]M\HLE
19 October 1945
Gentlemen:
It is requested that in the interest of National Defense, access
be given to the effects of Dr. Nikola Tesla held in Manhattan
Warehouse at 57th Street, New York City, New York.
We are desirous of obtaining pertinent information concerning
projects under consideration by the Control Equipment Branch of the
Equipment Laboratory, Engineering Division, Air Technical Service
Command.
C
It is understood that Dr. Tesla was well versed in the
particular field of investigation under study by the Army Air Forces,
and it is belived that data from his estate may assist us further.
Respectfully Yours,
L.C. Craigie
Brigadier General, U.S.A.
Chief, Engineering Division
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October 24, 1947
Commanding Officer
Air Technical Service Command,
Wright Field,
Dayton, Ohio
Dear Sir:
The records of this office show that on or about September 11,
1945, we forwarded by registered mail certian photostated materials
in possession of this office from the estate of Dr. Nicola Tesla to
Air Technical Service Command, Equipment Laboratory, Control
Equipment Branch, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. This material was
forwarded at the request of Colonel T.B. Holliday as containted in
his letter of September 5, 1945.
Our records do not reveal that this material has been returned.
If this material has served the purpose of the Air Technical Service
Command, we would appreciate your returning it to this office.
In
order to facilitate the identification of the material concerned,
there is enclosed a schedule describing the documents which were
forwarded by this office.
Sincerely Yours,
David L. Bazalen
Assistant Attorney General
Director, Office of Alien Property
*
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Headquarters
Air Material Command
TSELP-5
TSELP-5, JOF-ER
25 November 1947
Subject: Photostated materials from the Estate of
Dr. Nicola Tesla.
To:
Department of Justice
Office of Alien Property
Washington 25, D.C.
Attn: DS; JMCD ; LM
1.
With reference to your letter of 24. October 1947 to the
Commanding Officer, Air Technical Service Command, inquiring as to
the disposition of reports from the Estate of Dr. Nicola Tesla, the
following information is submitted.
2.
These reports are now in the possession of the Electronic
Subdivision, Engineering Division, Air Material Command, and are
being evaluated with the view toward extracting any information which
may prove to be of value to the Government Service. It is expected
that the evaluation will be completed by 1 January 1948. At that
time your office will be contacted with respect to final disposition
of these papers.
3.
Your cooperation is appreciated in extending the use of this
material, and every effort will be made to expedite the evaluation.
For the Commanding General :
M. Duffy
Colonel, USAF
Chief, Electronic Plans Section
Electronic Subdivision
Engineering Division
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Exhibits A-Q Status: LOCATED
FILE CLOSED
12 FEBRUARY 1992
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