The Seizure of Nikola Tesla’s Belongings and the Mysterious Disappearance of His Death Ray

Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor and electrical engineer, died on January 7, 1943. His belongings, including detailed notes and equipment related to his “Death Ray,” were seized by the US government. This article explores the official story of the seizure, as well as the possibilities of secret preservation of Tesla’s most prized inventions.

Part 1: The Official Story of the Seizure

According to official records, everything Tesla owned was confiscated by the US government shortly after his death. The Office of Alien Property (OAP) was responsible for the seizure, as federal authorities suspected foreign spies of attempting to acquire Tesla's secret inventions, particularly his "Death Ray."

When Tesla died, the FBI admitted that they did not have available agents to secure his invention notes in New York City. Therefore, they allowed the OAP to take control of Tesla's assets, as if he were a green-card holder. Tesla had been a US citizen for many years, but the wartime emergency powers made such actions permissible at that time.

The OAP checked over Tesla's materials and later released them after World War II. Dr. G. Trump of MIT reportedly could not find any deathray plans among the materials from 1935 onward. These materials were subsequently requested by Tesla's overseas relatives and shipped to Yugoslavia, where they formed the core of the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade.

Part 2: The Mysterious Disappearance of Tesla's Death Ray

While the official account is well-documented, many conspiracy theories and unverified rumors persist around the disappearance of Tesla's Death Ray invention.

Some speculate that Tesla’s Death Ray may have been secretly preserved or partially utilized. The Cheney biography “Tesla: Man Out of Time” provides a comprehensive account of these rumors, though it does not confirm them. Rumors suggest that a 1943 microfilm copy of Tesla's documents was made by the US government and, due to unclear circumstances, might have suffered from poor quality, rendering it unreadable. This has led to speculation and intrigue among many interested in Tesla's work.

Understanding Tesla’s Inventions

The invention known as the "Death Ray" is a fascinating concept that Tesla himself called "Teleforce." Modern scientists would describe it as a hair-thin stream of atomic cluster nanoparticles, launched through electrical means at hypervelocity rates using a gas-focusing effect similar to that used in particle accelerators.

Tesla had built a giant VandeGraaff generator with DC output as the power supply for his device, which was larger than a mere handheld weapon and could only be used as a defensive "peace-ray" mounted on large vehicles like aircraft carriers or ships.

Additional Resources for Further Exploration

If you’re interested in learning more about Nikola Tesla and his inventions, consider exploring further through the Quora answer's section on Nikola Tesla. For detailed technical explanations and discussions, visit the wonderful works of W. Beaty.

The mysteries and intrigues surrounding Tesla's Death Ray continue to captivate the imagination of enthusiasts and researchers alike. While the official account of the invention's seizure and disappearance is well-documented, possibilities of secret preservation or partial utilization persist, fueling ongoing interest in the legacy of this brilliant inventor.