BOOK: THE INVENTIONS, RESEARCHES AND WRITINGS OF ~ NIKOLA TESLA

HIGH FREQUENCY AND HIGH POTENTIAL CURRENTS

Page: 147

FIRST, we naturally inquire, WHAT is electricity, and is there such a thing as electricity?  In interpreting electric phenomena, we may speak of electricity or of an electric condition, state or effect.  If we speak of electric effects we must distinguish two such effects, opposite in character and neutralizing each other, as observation shows that two such opposite effects exist.  This is unavoidable, for in a medium of the properties of AETHER (ether), we cannot possibly exert a strain, or produce a displacement of motion of any kind, without causing in the surrounding medium an equivalent and opposite effect.  But if we speak of electricity, meaning a THING, we must, I think, abandon the idea of two electricities, as the existence of two such things is highly improbable.  For how can we imagine that there should be two things, equivalent in amount, alike in their properties, but of opposite character, both clinging to matter, both attracting and completely neutralizing each other?  Such an assumption, though suggested by many phenomena, though most convenient for explaining them, has little to commend it.  If there is such a thing as electricity, there can BE ONLY ONE SUCH THING, and, excess and want of that ONE thing, possibly; but more probably its condition determines the positive and negative character.  The old theory of FRANKLIN, though falling short in some respects, is, from a certain point of view, after all, the most plausible one.  STILL, in spite of this, the theory of the two electricities is generally accepted, as it apparently explains electric phenomena in a more satisfactory  manner.  BUT a theory which better explains the facts is not necessarily true.  Ingenious minds will invert theories to suit observation, and almost every independent thinker has his own views on the subject.

It is not with the object of advancing an opinion, but with the desire of acquainting you better with some of the results, which I will describe, to show you the reasoning I have followed, the departures I have made—that I will venture to express, in a few words, the views and convictions which have led me to these results.

I adhere to the idea that there is a thing which we have been in the habit of calling electricity.  The question is, WHAT is that thing? or, WHAT, of all things, the existence of which we know, have we the best reason to call electricity?  WE KNOW THAT IT ACTS LIKE AN INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID; THAT THERE MUST BE A CONSTANT QUANTITY OF IT IN NATURE; THAT IT CAN BE NEITHER PRODUCED NOR DESTROYED; AND, WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, THE ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY OF LIGHT AND ALL FACTS OBSERVED TEACH US THAT ELECTRIC AND AETHER (ETHER) PHENOMENA ARE IDENTICAL.  THE IDEA AT ONCE SUGGESTS ITSELF, THEREFORE, THAT ELECTRICITY MIGHT BE CALLED AETHER (ETHER). 

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  “THE INVENTIONS, RESEARCHES AND WRITINGS OF NIKOLA TESLA”