1917: Tesla Receives Edison Medal
May 18th, 1917: Tesla Receives Edison Medal
Originally rejecting the offer of the AIEE's highest award, Tesla reconsiders and accepts after being encouraged by Bernard A. Behrend. During the introduction, Tesla disappears and is later found at the library feeding his beloved pigeons. He is persuaded to return and gives his acceptance speech.
July 4th, 1917: Wardenclyffe Tower Destroyed
Reported in the media as being suspected of being used by German spies, the tower was actually ordered to be destroyed to cover debts incurred by Tesla at the Waldorf Astoria where he lived for almost 20 years.
July 21st, 1917: Tesla Moves To Chicago
Tesla contracts with Pyle National on the perfection of his turbines. He moves into the Blackstone Hotel where he stays for the next 16 months.
August, 1917: Tesla Envisions Radar
In the August 1917 edition of "Electrical Experimenter" magazine, Tesla stated, "For instance, by their (standing electromagnetic waves) use we may produce at will, from a sending station, an electrical effect in any particular region of the globe; (with which) we may determine the relative position or course of a moving object, such as a vessel at sea, the distance traversed by the same, or its speed."