Introduction
The term teleforce refers to a charged particle beam projector that Nikola Tesla claimed to have conceived of after studying the Van de Graaff generator. The press called it a "peace ray" or death ray.
Tesla described the weapon as being able to be used against ground-based infantry or for anti-aircraft purposes.
Tesla gives the following description concerning the particle gun's operation:
| “ | send concentrated beams of particles through the free air, of such tremendous energy that they will bring down a fleet of 10,000 enemy airplanes at a distance of 200 miles from a defending nation's border and will cause armies to drop dead in their tracks. | ” |
Tesla's records indicate that the device is based on a narrow stream of small tungsten pellets that are accelerated via high voltage (by means akin to his magnifying transformer). The pellets, propelled out of the tube by electrostatic repulsion, would travel at 48 times the speed of sound.
In a letter that was written to J. P. Morgan, Jr. on November 29, 1934, Tesla described the weapon:
I have made recent discoveries of inestimable value... The flying machine has completely demoralized the world, so much that in some cities, as London and Paris, people are in mortal fear from aerial bombing. The new means I have perfected afford absolute protection against this and other forms of attack. ... These new discoveries, which I have carried out experimentally on a limited scale, have created a profound impression. One of the most pressing problems seems to be the protection of London and I am writing to some influential friends in England hoping that my plan will be adopted without delay. The Russians are very anxious to render their borders safe against Japanese invasion and I have made them a proposal which is being seriously considered.
Read more about this topic: Teleforce
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