Nikola Tesla Father of Poly Phase Circuits and Radio Part 1: Chronology By Lionel Weightman Navigating the Internet CMI210 August 12, 1994 ***************************************************************************** ________ ________ _______\ O /_______ __|__ |---| |---| |---| |---| |---| ____|___|____ |-----------| |-----------| |-----------| |___________| ///////////////////////////////// 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 con- nections. 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 support- ed 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 select Europe/Scandinavia select United Kingdom select 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 ****************************************************************************** __________ __________ _______\ O /_______ __|__ |---| |---| |---| |---| |---| _____|___|_____ |-------------| |-------------| |-------------| |_____________| /////////////////////////////////////////// Construction Articles on Tesla Coils & Turbines Through the years many articles have been written on constructing 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 ****************************************************** 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 instruct- ions, 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/SI TO3 SK3111 1500 600 50 5 NPN/SI TO3 SK3710 1500 600 50 6 NPN/SI TO3 SK9486 1500 800ces 120 5 NPN/SI TO220 type NTE replacements 62 2500 900 50 3 NPN/SI TO-3 165 1500 1500 50 6 NPN/SI TO-3 389 1500 1500 100 6 NPN/SI TO-3 With damper diode 89 1500 600 50 7 NPN/SI TO3 2302 1500 800 120 5 NPN/SI TO220 type 2318 1500 700 125 8 NPN/SI TO218 2331 1500 800 60 6 NPN/SI TO218 type Darlington Transistors 98 700 500 175 20 NPN/SI T03 99 600 400 250 50 NPN/SI T03 256 600 400 150 28 NPN/SI TO218 Some useful tubes [4], [5] Num. Type Plate Plate Grid Grid Fil Class Output Volts I ma Volts I ma Volts 811A triode 1250 140 -120 45 6.3 CP 135W 5514 triode 750 175 ---- ---- 7.5 ---- ---- 572B triode 1650 165 -70 32 6.3 CT 205W 833A triode 3000 335 -160 70 10 CTO 800W 8877 triode 2500 1000 -8.2 - 5 AB2 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?"