Ep 2. The Colorado Experiment

The Tesla Files is a thrilling and fascinating show that delves into the mysterious and enigmatic life and work of one of the world's greatest inventors, Nikola Tesla. In season 1 episode 2, titled "The Colorado Experiment," viewers are taken on a journey to explore some of the lesser-known aspects of Tesla's life and work.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Tesla's experiments with wireless communication and his groundbreaking work in the field of electricity. We learn about his invention of the Tesla coil, a device that could produce high voltage, low current electricity. This device was the foundation for many of Tesla's other inventions and is still used in modern technology today.

As the episode progresses, we learn about a lesser-known experiment that Tesla conducted in Colorado Springs in 1899. He had chosen Colorado Springs because of its high altitude and dry climate, which he believed would be ideal for his experiment. What he wanted to do was prove that it was possible to transmit electrical power wirelessly, without the need for cables or wires.

Tesla built a laboratory in Colorado Springs and began conducting his experiment. He created a giant coil that was capable of generating millions of volts of electricity. He also built a transmission tower that was 142 feet tall, which he used to send the electricity wirelessly.

However, things did not go according to plan. Shortly after Tesla began his experiment, the transmission tower caused a massive power surge, which caused a blackout in the city. The incident made national headlines and Tesla was forced to abandon his experiment.

The episode goes on to explore some of the possible reasons for why Tesla's experiment failed. Some people believe that the high altitude and dry climate caused the air to become too ionized, which made it more difficult to transmit electricity wirelessly. Others believe that Tesla's equipment was faulty or that he simply miscalculated the power that was needed for his experiment.

Despite the failure of his Colorado experiment, Tesla continued to work on his wireless power transmission theory for the rest of his life. In fact, he believed so strongly in the potential of his invention that he once predicted that one day people would be able to power their homes wirelessly without the need for power cords.

The episode concludes by looking at some of the ways in which Tesla's theories on wireless power transmission are still being explored today. We see modern-day experiments in wireless charging for electric cars, as well as attempts to develop wireless power grids for entire cities.

Overall, "The Colorado Experiment" is a fascinating episode that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Tesla's life and work. It provides viewers with a glimpse into one of the greatest scientific minds of the modern era and explores some of the ways in which his theories and inventions continue to shape the world we live in today.