Nexus - 0704 - New Times Magazine-pages

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source, made the team feel the nauseating effects once more. before it affected even the operating engineers? In the business of military research, Dr Gavreau believed he With greatest caution and respect for the power with which they had discovered a new and previously "unknown weapon" in these — worked, Dr Gavreau began recalculating all of his design parame- infrasounds. Aware of the natural explosives by which infr. ters. He had grossly misjudged the power released by the pipes; ics are generated, Dr Gavreau began to speculate on the applica- in fact, he had greatly lowered those calculated outputs for diag- tion of infrasonics as a defence initiative. The haphazard explo- nostic purposes. Never had he imagined that these figures were sive effects of natural infrasound in thunderclaps were quite effec- actually far too great in the world of infrasound! tive in demonstrating what an artificial "thunder-maker" could Empirical data collection and analysis being the only way to do—but how could a thunderclap be artificially generated in a determine how infrasonic energy correlated with both biological compact system? These thoughts stimulated theoretical discus- and material effects, the tests were again attempted with a minia- sions on the possibility of producing coherent infrasound—an ture power supply. First, the dimensions of these devices had to infrasonic "laser". be greatly reduced; their extreme length was objectionable. In The first devices Dr Gavreau implemented were designed to order to provide absolutely safe control of the deadly blasts, sev- imitate the "accident" which first made his research group aware eral emergency cut-off switches were provided. These responded of infrasonics. The team designed real organ pipes of exceedingly to the radiated infrasonic pressure wave. The intensity could be great width and length, the first of these being six feet in diameter _ limited by the use of automated barometric switches. and 75 feet long. Two forms of these infrasonic organ pipes were In an attempt to produce more compact and controllable infra- built: the first utilised a drive piston which pulsed the pipe sound generators, Dr Gavreau designed and tested special horns output, while the second utilised compressed air in a more and whistles of various volumes. These were each remarkably conventional manner. These designs were tested outdoors, simple, flat, circular, resonant cavities, having a side output duct. securely propped against protective sound-absorbent walls, while | They were simply the large analogues of foghorns and police the investigators stood at a great whistles. These flat forms were volu- distance. metrically reduced in successive The main resonant frequency of These experiments with design stages because it was found that these pipes was found to be in the their output was far too great. The "range of death", between three and infrasonics were as dangerous infrasonic foghorns could produce a seven cycles per second. These as those early investigations of frightening two kilowatts of infrasonic sounds could not be humanly energy at a pitch of 150 cycles per sec- heard—a distinct advantage for a nuclear energy, but infrasonic ond. The flat "police whistles" were defence system. However, the assaults on the body are the more easily designed to the required effects could be felt. specifications. Their overall character- Even though the pipes were oper- more lethal because they come istics were quite simple to determine, a ating for only a few seconds, symp- i i mathematical formula being devised toms in the investigators came on with a dreadful silence. for the purpose. The whistle's resonant rapidly and unexpectedly. The pres- pitch was found by dividing its diame- sure waves impacted against the ter into a numerical constant of fifty- entire body in a terrible and inescapable grip—a pressure which one. Increasing the depth of the whistle effectively increased its came in on the body from all sides simultaneously, an envelope of | amplitude. A whistle 1.3 metres in diameter produced an infra- death. Next came the pain—dull, infrasonic pressure against the sonic pitch of 37 cycles per second. This form violently shook eyes and ears. Then came a frightening manifestation on the the walls of the entire laboratory complex, though its intensity material supports of the device itself. With sustained operation of __ was less than two watts of infrasonic power. the pipes, a sudden rumble rocked the area, nearly destroying the test building. Every pillar and joint of the massive structure | TESLA'S RESEARCH AND MILITARY MEDICAL TESTS moved. One of the technicians managed to ignore the pain Not much amplitude is required for infrasound to produce phys- enough to shut down the power supply. iological malady. Several researchers accidentally did themselves These experiments with infrasonics were as dangerou: those great harm when, either by deliberate intent or accident, they suc- early investigations of nuclear energy, but infrasonic assaults on ceeded in generating infrasonic vibrations. the body are the more lethal because they come with a dreadful Dr Nikola Tesla used vibrating platforms as an aid to vitality. silence. Dr Gavreau and his associates were dangerously ill for He delighted in "toning the body" with vibrational platforms of his nearly a day after these preliminary tests were performed. Their own design. Mounted on heavy rubber pads, these platforms were eyesight was affected for days. More dangerously, their internal vibrated by simple, motorised, "eccentric" wheels. Their mild use, organs were affected: the heart, lungs, stomach and intestinal for a minute, could be pleasantly stimulating, the effects cavity were filled with continual painful spasms for an equal time invigorating the whole body for hours thereafter. However, their period. Musculature convulsions, torques and tears were the excessive use would produce grave illness, extreme aggravations symptoms of their infrasonic exposure. All the resonant body of the heart being the most dangerous aspect of the stimulation. cavities absorbed the self-destructive acoustic energy, and would _The entire body would "ring" for hours with an elevated heart rate have been torn apart had the power not been extinguished at that and greatly stimulated blood pressure. The effects could be precise moment. deadly. The effectiveness of infrasound as a defensive weapon of In one historic instance, Samuel Clemens, Tesla's close friend, frightening power having been demonstrated "to satisfaction", refused to descend from the vibrating platform after repeated more questions were asked. After this dreadful accident, warnings. Tesla was sorry he had allowed him to mount it, but approaching the equipment once again was almost a fearful exer- his concern was drowned out by both the vibrating machine and cise. How powerful could the output of an infrasonic device be Clemens's jubilant exaltations and praises. Several more seconds infrasonics were as dangerous as those early investigations of nuclear energy, but infrasonic assaults on the body are the more lethal because they come are ee eee 2 ole = ee TESLA'’S RESEARCH AND MILITARY MEDICAL TESTS Not much amplitude is required for infrasound to produce phys- iological malady. Several researchers accidentally did themselves great harm when, either by deliberate intent or accident, they suc- ceeded in generating infrasonic vibrations. Dr Nikola Tesla used vibrating platforms as an aid to vitality. He delighted in "toning the body" with vibrational platforms of his own design. Mounted on heavy rubber pads, these platforms were vibrated by simple, motorised, "eccentric" wheels. Their mild use, for a minute, could be pleasantly stimulating, the effects invigorating the whole body for hours thereafter. However, their excessive use would produce grave illness, extreme aggravations of the heart being the most dangerous aspect of the stimulation. The entire body would "ring" for hours with an elevated heart rate and greatly stimulated blood pressure. The effects could be deadly. In one historic instance, Samuel Clemens, Tesla's close friend, refused to descend from the vibrating platform after repeated warnings. Tesla was sorry he had allowed him to mount it, but his concern was drowned out by both the vibrating machine and Clemens's jubilant exaltations and praises. Several more seconds 42 - NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2000 These experiments with with a dreadful silence.