Tesla: Signals. Rivals. Ruin.Episode 61:31
The Meaning of Three Taps
Tesla hears a pattern in Colorado, but the distance between observation and interpretation becomes the series' central fault line.
Watch it in the appThis episode needs All Access, from $4.99 a week.
Transcript
A Richmond Times account described three taps from Tesla's receiver; Tesla claimed radio communications from Mars.
In 1899, Tesla conducted electrical experiments at an experimental station in Colorado Springs.
His Colorado Springs stay lasted half a year, and his diary was kept for personal use.
A Richmond Times account placed Tesla beside his instrument on a Colorado hillside.
The operator leaned closer, listening for a repeat from the receiver.
The needle moved, then settled, leaving the signal's source unknown.
By 1901, Tesla claimed he was receiving radio communications from Mars.
Scientists showed little serious interest in Tesla's alleged Mars communications.
To Tesla, the taps suggested a message; to others, they remained unexplained.
A sound can be real, while its meaning remains a human decision.
The press broadly reported Tesla's alleged Mars communications.
In 1915, Tesla said he described patent circuits immune to static and other interference.
The distance between hearing a pattern and naming its source became the fault line.
Where it leaves off
Once Tesla called the three taps a communication from Mars, the newspapers made the disputed signal impossible to contain.
Sources
- Messages to and from Outer Spaceloc.govsecondary
- Sample text for Library of Congress control number 2001037808catdir.loc.govsecondary
- Nikola Tesla Colorado Springs Notes 1899-1900 (PDF) (PDF)pdfroom.comsecondary
- Nikola Tesla Sees a Wireless Vision - New York Times, Sunday - October 3, 1915 - Open Tesla Researchteslaresearch.jimdofree.comprimary
The whole series is in the app.
Download on the App StoreAll Access is $4.99 a week, $14.99 a month or $39.99 a year. The annual plan starts with three days free.