PREFACE.

PTTHE electrical problems of the present day lie largely in theeconomical transmission of power and in the radical im-provement of the means and methods of illumination. To manyworkers and thinkers in the domain of electrical invention, theapparatus and devices that are familiar, appear cumbrous andwasteful, and subject to severe limitations. They believe thatthe principles of current generation must be changed, the areaof current supply be enlarged, and the appliances used by theconsumer be at once cheapened and simplified. The brilliantsuccesses of the past justify them in every expectancy of stillmore generous fruition.

The present volume is a simple record of the pioneer- workdone in such departments up to date, by Mr. Nikola Tesla, inwhom the world has already recognized one of the foremost ofmodern electrical investigators and inventors. No attempt what-ever has been made here to emphasize the importance of hisresearches and discoveries. Great ideas and real inventions wintheir own way, determining their own place by intrinsic merit.But with the conviction that Mr. Tesla is blazing a path thatelectrical development must follow for many years to come, thecompiler has endeavored to bring together all that bears the im-press of Mr. Tesla’s genius, and is worthy of preservation. Asidefrom its value as showing the scope of his inventions, thisvolume may be of service as indicating the range of his thought.There is intellectual profit in studying the push and play of avigorous and original mind.

Although the lively interest of the public in Mr. Tesla’s workis perhaps of recent growth, this volume covers the results offull ten years. It includes his lectures, miscellaneous articles