Re: A challenge

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Terry Fritz" <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>

Hi,

I should note that there are three known Tesla coiling deaths:

Henry L Transtrom - Electrocuted while working on a stage and using a large
Tesla coil. He inadvertently allowed a power arc to go from his body to
some metal framing that was part of the stage backdrop. He authored the
following book: 

"ELECTRICITY AT HIGH PRESSURES AND FREQUENCIES" 
Henry L. Transtrom, originally published: 1913, second edition 1921, Joseph
G. Branch Publishing, Chicago; Reprinted 1990, ISBN 1-55918-054-4, Lindsay
Publications, Bradley, Illinois, 60915. Paperback, 247pp, Lindsay # 20544. 

1992 - Graduate student intern working at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis. A
Tesla coil was being used to test aircraft parts against the effects of
lightening. The person got too close to the tank circuit and either bushed
up against it or a spark left the circuit and struck him. He never regained
a heartbeat despite excellent CPR and paramedic responses. 

March 29,1998 - An unsupervised 14 month old boy wandered into the poorly
made AC line wiring of a Tesla coil. He was found some time later but could
not be resuscitated. 

A master, a bystander, and a small child have been killed by Tesla coils.
It is always a number one priority to keep that list from growing... 

Terry


At 01:55 PM 7/10/2002 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi Dan,
>
>For what it's worth, I don't have direct knowledge of
>anyone ever being killed by a Tesla coil. Probably the
>total number of coiling related deaths in the US in
>the past 100 years could be totaled up on two hands. A
>walk up your own stairs or a brisk drive on the
>interstate probably represent much greater threats to
>your life than your coiling activity. However, the
>sort of fear you are describing may be irrational and
>therefore unresponsive to logic or reason. My wife is
>terrified of snakes. She has never been injured by a
>snake, and she's never known anyone who was hurt or
>killed by a snake. 99% of the snakes around here are
>harmless mouse eaters, and she knows it. However, her
>irrational fear overrules her logic, and she is
>terrified of snakes. Nothing I can do or say will
>change her. I used to keep snakes as pets, but not
>anymore. It was her or them, and I'd rather have her.
>On the other hand, she thinks my Tesla coils are cool,
>so that more than balances the scale!
>
>Cheers,
>
>Greg
>http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg
>
>--- Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:
>> Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz
>> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <dan.gallagher-at-pulsartech-dot-com>
>> 
>> Hey folks,
>> I am so glad to be a part of this list. You all are
>> valuable resources and
>> I greatly appreciate it.
>> 
>> On that note, I have a problem that may be solved
>> with your
>> expertise/experience.
>> 
>> My wife is scared to death of Tesla coils. She makes
>> a face and nags (for
>> lack of a better word) at me every time I mention
>> anything related to it.
>> All she can think about is my coil killing someone
>> and us getting sued and
>> our lives ruined.
>> 
>> I really don't want to go through a divorce over
>> this and even if I have to
>> be solo in enjoying my TC I will do so. But it seems
>> a shame not to share
>> this cool thing with others, especially kids, or at
>> a haunted house. But
>> she won't hear of that.
>> 
>> HELP! You single folks are so lucky, stay that way.
>> 
>> Thanks
>> Dan
>> Ft. Lauderdale
>> 
>> 
>> 
>
>
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