Nikola Tesla Father of Poly Phase Circuits and Radio

Part 1: Chronology
By Lionel Weightman
Navigating the Internet
CMI210
August 12, 1994
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Chronology
This report on Nikola Tesla is in two parts. The first covers Tesla's
life and some of his important accomplishments and milestones. The
second part covers various construction articles for his Tesla coils
and the Tesla turbine.
1856 He was born in Smiljan, Croatia
1857-60 As a boy Tesla played with wood disks turned by water in a
stream. This led him to later develop the Tesla turbine.
1875

Started studying electrical engineering at Gratz Polytechnic.

1880

Finished studies at the University of Prague.

1882-83 Made his first AC motor while working for a telephone company
in France. Tried to get various backers in Europe for his ideas
without any success.
1884 Nikola Tesla decided to come to America.
1885-87 Worked for Thomas Edison.
1887-88 Patented AC motor and distribution system. Then sold the
rights to George Westinghouse.
1889-90 Worked with Westinghouse to further develop many sizes of AC
motors and dynamotors. At this time he built his first
Tesla coil to transmit power.
1893 Lit up the Columbian Exposition and gave many demonstrations on
electricity ideas such as lighting tubes without any wire connections. The first radio diagram was done during this time.

1895-96 Fulfilled a dream with Westinghouse of harnessing Niagara Falls

to provide electrical power and transmitted it 22 miles, thus
creating the electrical distribution industry we use today.
1898 In Madison Square Garden demonstrated the use of radio to control
a boat remotely starting, steering and turning on and off the
lighting on the boat.
1899-1900 Established a laboratory in Colorado Springs to develop
transmission of power using his coil design. Created
lightning bolts 22 feet long. This research was supported by Col. John Jacob Astor.
1901-16 Built the Wydencliff Tower to transmit various radio programs
around the world, thus anticipating modern use of radio. This
project was never completed because he went broke. In 1902
Tesla patented a four circuit tuner.
1921-28 Received patents on a VTOL aircraft which was never built.
1930-40 During these years due to financial constraints became a
recluse. Wrote some articles and anticipated many uses of
radio, facsimile, radar, & television.
1943 Died on January 7 at age 86 in a New York hotel room.
References used [1], [2], [3], & [4]

Reference sources
Magazines
The Dream That Won't Die
By Ken Gilmore
Electronics Illustrated July 1965
First powered remote helicopter by transmitting power using radar.
[1] Who Was Tesla
By Commander E.J. Quimby, USN(ret)
73 Magazine November 1972
Covers Mr. Tesla's life accomplishments.
Inventors of Radio Nikola Tesla
By Dexter S. Bartlett
Radio Electronics April 1963
Nikola Tesla's 100th Birthday
By Hugo Gernsback
Radio Electronics June 1956 and July 1956
12 Million Volts
By Fred Shunaman
Radio Electronics June 1976
Covers Robert K. Golka's work on ball lightning using a Tesla Coil.
In Search of Fireball Lightning

By Robert K. Golka
Radio Electronics March 1985 pages 46 & 47
Radio Electronics February 1981 no info
Both articles cover his additional research.
Books
[2] The Prodigal Genius
By John J. O'Neill
First Printing 1944
*ISBN 0-685-52651-8

1992 (pbk)

[3] Tesla Man Out of Time

By Margaret Cheney
First Printing 1981
Dell Pub. Co. 1983
*ISBN 0-440-39077-X,LE
[4] Lightning In His Hand
By Inez Hunt & Wanetta Draper
First Printing 1977
ISBN no listing
The asterisk before the ISBN indicates books in print.
Net references to books
Hytelnet
select library catalogue <sites1>
select Europe/Scandinavia <site1b>
select <UK000> United Kingdom
select <UK009> Cambridge University
#2 Main building University Library
Post-1977 Imprints
1-Prodigal Genius /John J. O'Neill
2-Nikola Tesla und sein Werk /s. Boksan
3-Nikola Tesla Electrical Genius /A.J. Beckhard
4-Nikola Tesla /APM Fleming
Index of pre 1978 borrow books
In search of Nikola Tesla /David Peat
Telnet ipgate.cam.ac.uk 131.111.12.21 for an alternate search.

Gopher
#8 other gopher & information servers
#2 Titles search gopher space using veronica
#6 Search gopher titles via SCS Nevada
key word Tesla
Tesla.ee.cornell.edu 128.84.253.11
#18 Community-The International Tesla Society
Companies where books can be obtained.
International Tesla Society
P.O. Box 5636
Security, CO. 80931
USA

2 books covering tube circuits,3 programs for designing Tesla coils

using a PC (IBM compatibles).
16 books on the subject approx. $200+.
International Tesla Society
Museum & Book Store
2220 East Bijou
Colorado Springs, CO. 80909
Same company just a different address. This location is about two
blocks north of where Tesla's lab was.
Tesla Book Company
P.O. Box 121873
Chula Vista, CA 91912
800-398-2056
Conclusion
There is very little information on the net on Nikola Tesla's life
and the many areas to which he contributed.
He was a very talented individual who opened many doors and
anticipated many uses of power, radio and energy.

Nikola Tesla Father of Poly Phase Circuits & Radio

Part 2: Construction articles
Compiled by Lionel Weightman
Navigating the Internet
CMI210
August 12, 1994
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Construction Articles on Tesla Coils & Turbines
Through the years many articles have been written on constructi
ng
Tesla coils, and a few on the Tesla turbine. Some of these are listed
below, followed by some current books and sources on the internet.
Sources can be found on microfish in most libraries. The best sources
are Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. Popular Electronics and
Radio Eletronics will be more difficult to retrieve.

Tesla Coil Articles

*************************<CAUTION>*****************************
The misuse of the following information can be very hazardous.
Please take the time to understand the hazards BEFORE energizing
the curcuits.
****************************************************************
Experiments on Electric Oscillations & Waves
By R.P. Howgrave-Graham A.I.E.E.
Model Engineer & Electrician
Facsimile Volumes
Vol 8 Jan-June 1903
Vol 10 Jan-June 1904
Vol 11 July-Dec 1904
Also info on spark coils/medical coils, good info on interrupters. [1]
Further Remarks On Spark Coil Construction
By J. Pike
Model Engineer And Electrician
Facsimile Volume
Vol 7 Jan-June 1903
Same as above. [1]
250kV Tesla Coil/Lightning Generator
pages 193-202
Uses spark gap & neon sign step-up transformer.
Solid State Tesla Coil
pages 262-267
Uses transistors & a horizontal flyback transformer.
Both are in the book:
Build Your Own Laser,Phaser,Ion Ray Gun & other Working
Space-Age Projects
By Robert E.Iannini
Tab Books 1983
ISBN 0-8306-0604-1 (pbk)
ISBN 0-8306-0204-6
Rotary Interrupter
Scientific American Volume 83: pages 44 to 46 Sept 1917, Jan 1917
Tesla Coil Outfit
By G. K. Pierce & H. D. Campbell
Industrial Arts Magazine Volume 18: pages 100 to 105 March 1929
Uses a spark gap, fair instructions, very good illustrations &
dimensions for all parts including the step up transformer.
Induction Coils
By L. H. Baxter
Industrial Arts & Vocational Education
Volume 23: pages 385 to 386 December 1934
Uses a spark gap, fair instructions, good illustrations & dimensions.
Includes an induction coil similar to the Ford spark coil.
Simplified Tesla Coil
By K. M. Swezey
Popular Science Volume 125: pages 65, 66 & 115 December 1934

Uses a spark gap some illustrations, instructions & dimensions.

Spectacular High Frequency Experiments
By Kendall Ford
Popular Science February 1935 pages 86 & 87
Uses a Ford spark coil some instructions, illustrations & dimensions.
Juggling Thunderbolts with Huge Home-made Spark Coil
By K. Ford
Popular Science volume 126: pages 82 to 83 & 105 May 1935
Uses a rotary spark gap some instructions, illustrations & dimensions.
Cigar-Box Tesla Coil
By T. Diers
Popular Science January 1946 Volume 148: pages 190 to 94
Uses 2-# 10 tubes, good instructions, some illustrations & dimensions.
New & Improved Tesla Coil
By Harold P. Strand
Science Experimenter magazine
#651 Fall 1963 pages 16 to 21 & 141 to 144
Uses 2-811A tubes, good instructions and illustrations, well
dimensioned.
Tesla's Trickery
By Kenneth Richardson
Popular Electronics May 1960 pages 72-76
Electronic Experimenter's Handbook 1961 edition pages 15 to 16
Uses a Ford spark coil & a spark gap, good instructions, some
dimensions.
Experimenting with a "Souped Up" Tesla Coil
By Harold P. Strand
Science Experimenter #563 1959 pages 149 to 152
Craft Print #191
Handyman's Electrical Guide Volume 2 1954 pages 23 to 26
Science & Mechanics October 1953 pages 217 to 221
Uses 2-5514 tubes, good instructions & illustrations, well dimensioned
Tesla Coil for Electrical Experimenters
By Harold P. Strand
Science & Mechanics April 1952 pages 167 to 171
Uses 1-5514 tube, good instructions/illustrations, well dimensioned.
Building A Miniature Tesla Coil
By Harold P.Strand
Craft Print #290
Science Experimenter #557 1958 pages 65-72
Science Experimenter #608 Fall 1962 pages 122-129
Science & Mechanics Sept. 1958 part 1, Oct. 1958 part 2 pages 139 to 143
uses 5514 tube,no schematic see above,good instructions/illustrations
well dimensioned.
Build A Tesla Coil
By Elbert Robberson
Popular Science August 1954 pages 190-196 & 234
Uses 1-811A tube, good instructions/illustrations, well dimensioned.
A Tesla Coil
By Harvey Pollack

Electronics Illustrated October 1959 pages 54-57 & 102-106

Uses 1-811A tube, good instructions, illustrations & well dimensioned.
Midget Oudin-Tesla Coil Operates on Flashlight Cells
By Thomas A. Blanchard
Science Experimenter #563 1959 pages 37-39
Uses a Ford spark coil & a spark gap,good instructions/illustrations
but has only a few dimensions.
Li'L TC
By Edwin N. Kaufman
Electronic Experimenter's Handbook fall 1965 pages 99-101
Uses 1-6L6 tube & J.W.Miller #4526 High Voltage Coil
good instructions/illustrations, no dimensions.
Big TC
By Charles Caringella W6NJV
Popular Electronics July pages 29 to 32 & 76, October 1964 page 12
Electronic Experimenter's Handbook fall 1965 pages 93-98
Uses a neon-sign transformer & a spark gap, good instructions
& illustrations. Be sure to read the correction for safety in
October 1964.
Circuit Circus
Fun with Tesla Coils
By Charles D. Rakes
Popular Electronics October 1992 pages 63 to 71 only 3 pages.
1 solid state circuit & three methods of tuning, some dimensions.
Circuit Circus
More High-voltage Circuits
By Charles D. Rakes
Popular Electronics
November 1992 pages 72 to 74
Three solid state circuits, no dimensions.
Solid State Tesla Coil
By Duane A. Bylund
Radio Electronics
September 1991 pages 33 to 39
Uses hand wound transformers, good instructions, no dimensions, has
a good circuit board pattern. Parts are available form author.
The author also has a book available from the International Tesla
Society. See the address listed in Sources of books.
Simple Tesla Coil
By Eric Wold
Radio Electronics September 1981 page 84
Uses a flyback transformer, good instructions, no dimensions.
Electronic Tornado Plasma Display Power Supply
By Robert Iannini
Radio Electronics March 1988 pages 43 to 48 & 82
Uses a flyback transformer, good instructions, illustrations, has a
good circuit board pattern. Good example of Tesla's experiments.
Build This Plasma Display Globe
By Jeffery C. Caudill
Radio Electronics January 1989 pages 62 to 64
Good instructions, illustrations, some dimensions.

This is a companion to the above article.

Hardware Hacker
By Don Lancaster
Radio Electronics October 1991 pages 72 to 78, 80 & 81
good list of Suppliers for Tesla Coil parts.
The following two articles are high voltage DC circuits which could
be converted to operate as a Tesla coil. These are very hazardous
circuits so follow the instructions and cautions if built per the
articles.
Build A Negative Ion Generator
By Anthony J. Caristi
Radio Electronics January 1991 pages 41 to 44 part 1
Radio Electronics February 1991 pages 55 to 60 & 70 part 2
Uses a flyback transformer, transistors. Has good instructions,
illustrations, and circuit board patterns.
Build This Negative Ion Generator
By Robert E. Pyle
Radio Electronics July 1981 pages 36 to 38
Uses a three terminal 12 volt automotive spark coil, fair instructions, no illustrations and no dimensions.
Books
Vacuum Tube Tesla Coils
By J. F. Corum & K. L. Corum
ISBN on listing
International Tesla Society cat #370001
Covers tube circuits. [2],[5]
The Capacitor Handbook
By Cletus J. Kaiser
ISBN 0-9628525-0-3
International Tesla Society cat #430005 [2]
Tesla Coils! 100 Years of Electrical Magic
By Brent Turner
ISBN no listing
International Tesla Society cat #430004
Covers tube, transistors & spark gap circuits. [2]
The Very Best From The Electrical Experimenter 1916-1917
From Hugo Gernsback publications 105 pages
Covers Tesla coils, spark gaps and other circuitry. [2], [5]
Some possible transistors
The transistors used to drive the horizontal flyback transformer
have a high cbo and ceo rating. I've included two replacement
source catalogue numbers.
SK Series

Vcbo

Vceo

Watts

Ic

Type

Case
SK3115

1500

600

50

7amp

NPN/S

I TO3
SK3111

1500

600

50

NPN/SI

SK3710

1500

600

50

NPN/SI

SK9486
SI TO220 type

1500

800ces

TO3
TO3

NTE replacements
62
2500
165
1500

120

900
1500

50

NPN/

50

NPN/SI TO-3
NPN/SI TO-

3
389

1500

1500

100

NPN/SI TO

120

NPN/SI TO3
NPN/SI TO

NPN/SI TO

-3
89
2302

With damper diode

1500
1500

600
800

50

220 type
2318

1500

700

125

2331

1500

800

60

218
6

NPN/SI TO2

20
50
28

NPN/SI T03
NPN/SI T03
NPN/SI TO2

18 type

98
99
256

Darlington Transistors
700
500
600
400
600
400

175
250
150

18
Some useful tubes [4], [5]
Num.
Type Plate
Plate
Volts
I ma
811A
5514

triode
triode

1250
750

140

572B
833A
8877

triode
triode
triode

1650
3000
2500

165
335
1000

Grid
Volts

-120

Grid
I ma
6.3

32
70
-

6.3
10
5

175

45
----

Fil
Class
Volts
CP
----

7.5

Output

135W
----

----70
-160
-8.2

CT
CTO
AB2

205W
800W
1520

CP-class C plate modulation, CT class C telegraph, CTO class

C amplifier- oscillator, AB2 Push-pull AF amplifier
Tesla Turbine Articles
Cardboard Blower Works Like Tesla's Lost Turbine
By Walter E. Burton
Popular Science September 1955 pages 230 to 232
No dimensions.
Make a Model Tesla Turbine
By Walter E. Burton
Popular Mechanics September 1965 pages 188 to 193
Fair on dimensions and good text.
The Tesla Turbine
By R. S. Hedin
Live Steam Magazine November 1984 pages 32 to 35

Fully dimensioned parts and excellent text on construction.

This is the best article in print I've seen.
Available Kits
Corona Coil
P.O. Box 474
Riverton, UT 84065
See Radio Electronics September 1991 for add.
Resonance Research
E11870 Shady Lane Road
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-3647
Combination Solid State Tesla Coil & Variable 100,000Vdc Generator
Table Top Tesla Coil 250,000V
Both are available from:
Information Unlimited
Dept ENS16
Box 716
Amherst, NH 03031
Phone 603-673-4730 for inquiries
FAX 603-672-5406
800-221-1705 for Phone orders only
Catalogue is $1.00 P&H

Sources of Books
[1] Tee Publishing
Edwards Centre
Ragent Street
Hinckley, Leics LE10 0bb
England/United Kingdom
[2] International Tesla Society
P.O. Box 5636
Security, CO 80931
USA
Books covering tube, transistors & spark gap circuits. 3 programs
for designing Tesla coils using a PC (IBM compatibles).
16 books on and related to the subject.
[3] Tesla Book Company
P.O. Box 121873
Chula Vista, CA 91912
800-398-2056
[4] The ARRL 1986 Handbook for the Radio Amateur
Published by American Radio Relay League
Newington, CT USA 0611
Library of Congress #41-3345
ISBN 0-87259-063-1
All years of the ARRL handbook are good sources of tube, tran-

sistor and electronics information. The 40's & 50's are the best
years for tube specifications.
[5] Antique Electronic Supply
6221 S. Maple Ave.
Tempe, Arizona U.S.A. 85283
Source of tubes.
Sources of articles on the Net
ftp at bode.ee.ualberta.ca
cookbook/misc
tesla.ps.Z by Harri Suomalainen
haba@snakemail.hut.fi
This is a good article on Tesla coil basics.
teslarec.ps.Z by John w. Herbold Jr.
jherbold@bigbang.astate.edu
This covers rebuilding The Tesla coil at Arizona State.
2om6a2$sk4@falcon.ccs.uwo.ca
1994Apr16.193830.4496@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
1994may22.225215.4776@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
Article 73479 of sci.electronics
This is an update to an earlier post. Very good information on sources
of books.
The two references above are the courtesy of
[5] edharris@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
Some questions and answers can also be found on the USENET News group
sci.electronics.

Conclusion
Very little information is on the net on constructing any of Tesla's
ideas. This information is to help those who have asked "Where can I
find information on building Tesla coils/Tesla turbines?"