In a dark room with alternating currents of 800,000 voltage, Nikola Tesla, by means of atmospheric vibrations, caused a faint glow of light to appear. Explaining the phenomenon, he said:
“If I can increase the atmospheric vibrations, say 1,000,000 or ten thousand millions, I can produce sunlight in this room. Of course, I can increase the vibrations by increasing the voltage. I can make the voltage 8,000,000 as easily as 800,000; but I am not ready to handle 8,000,000 volts of electricity. Currents of such strength would kill everybody in the room. I expect, however, to learn how to control a large voltage. When I have increased the atmospheric vibrations perhaps a thousand times, the phenomenon will be no longer electricity. It will be light. I am satisfied that sunlight can be made from electricity without doing harm to anybody, and I expect to discover how it is done. It is a grand idea, and whether the voice through which it came be hushed and still or yet resounds in the proclamation of new truths, the idea itself will be carried to fruitage, and the world will be wiser, whatever may be the issue.”
[Nikola Tesla "Artificial Sunlight." Manufacturer and Builder, The, March, 1894]
See Also
air
atmosphere
atmospheric envelope
atmospheric gas
atmospheric pressure
atmospheric vacuum
atmospheric-gas-rarefying device
atmospheric instrumentalities
ethereal atmosphere
Figure 5.1 - Swirling Vapor in the Atmosphere
geo-atmosphere
Newcomen atmospheric engine
Tesla - Atmospheric Vibrations