Re: Anecdotal Tesla Story?

["davep" <davep-at-xxxxxxxx> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-xxxxxxxxxx>)]

Tesla list wrote:
 
> Original poster: "Hans Scholze" <hanscs-at-eagle.ptialaska-dot-net>
 
> I think I recall reading this in the book "Tesla: Man Out of Time."  I
> no longer have the book, so I'm not sure of it's title, and I have no
> idea whether the story is true or not.  If I remember correctly, the
> platform simply vibrated.

	That matches my recollection.  I've not read Man Out of Time, so
	likely it is also in Prodigal Genius.  Tesla (at the time) was
	experimenting with mechanical vibration/resonance.  (there
	is a tale he near shook down a building...)  The lab vibrator
	Twain stood on was for an undefined purpose, maybe just for
	'feel good'.  Like many things, it was apparenly OK in small
	'doses', rather overactive in large...  My recollection is
	that it was 5-10-15 Hz, mechanical, that range...  Same effect
	is sometimes noticed on ultra low notes of LARGE pipe organs...
 
> Tesla list wrote:
> >
> > Original poster: "Ted Rosenberg" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com>
> >
> > Hello historians...
> > An associate of mine, upon learning of my involvement in the Tesla world,
> > passed along the following story. he wants to know if others have heard of
> > it and if there is any truth to it.
> >
> > Thanks on behalf of this famous Canadian associate.
> >
> > Ted
> >
> > Years ago, I remember hearing something about Mark Twain visiting the
> > laboratory of Nicola Tesla. Tesla showed Twain a small platform and
told him
> > to step onto it. Twain did so, and later wrote that the feeling he
> > experienced while standing on it was more delicious than anything he had
> > ever felt in his whole life. "Don't stay there too long, or you'll regret
> > it!" said Tesla. Twain paid no attention and insisted on remaining on the
> > platform enjoying the wonderful, exotic sensation. Suddenly, a look of
panic
> > came across Twain' s face. Rushing from the platform he yelled "Where the
> > hell is the washroom?" and he sped out of the lab, heading for the nearest
> > available toilet. Apparently, the device somehow sped up the natural
> > peristalsis of the intestines and anyone spending too much time standing on
> > the seemingly innocuous little platform would experience a loss of control
> > of their bowels! Tesla was one of the most fascinating geniuses of modern
> > time. Does anyone know anything about this mysterious platform that so
> > enthralled Samuel Clemens?

	best
	dwp