The idea of constructing an automaton,to bear out my theory,presented itself to me early but Idid not begin active work until 1893,when Istarted my wireless investigations.During the succeeding two or three years a number of automatic mechanisms,to be actuated from a distance,were constructed by me and exhibited to visitors in my laboratory.In 1896,however,Idesigned a complete machine capable of a multitude of operations,but the consummation of my labors was delayed until late in 1897.This machine was illustrated and described in my article in the Century Magazine of June,1900,and other periodicals of that time and,when first shown in the beginning of 1898,it created a sensation such as no other invention of mine has ever produced.In November,1898,a basic patent on the novel art was granted to me,but only after the Examiner-in-Chief had come to New York and witnessed the performance,for what Iclaimed seemed unbelievable.Iremember that when later Icalled on an official in Washington,with a view of offering the invention to the Government,he burst out in laughter upon my telling him what Ihad accomplished.Nobody thought then that there was the faintest prospect of perfecting such a device.It is unfortunate that in this patent,following the advice of my attorneys,Iindicated the control as being effected thru the medium of a single circuit and a well-known form of detector,for the reason that Ihad not yet secured protection on my methods and apparatus for individualization.As a matter of fact,my boats were controlled thru the joint action of several circuits and interference of every kind was excluded.Most generally Iemployed receiving circuits in the form of loops,including condensers,because the discharges of my high-tension transmitter ionized the air in the hall so that even a very small aerial would draw electricity from the surrounding atmosphere for hours.
Just to give an idea,Ifound,for instance,that a bulb 12"in diameter,highly exhausted,and with one single terminal to which a short wire was attached,would deliver well on to one thousand successive flashes before all charge of the air in the laboratory was neutralized.The loop form of receiver was not sensitive to such a disturbance and it is curious to note that it is becoming popular at this late date.In reality it collects much less energy than the aerials or a long grounded wire,but it so happens that it does away with a number of defects inherent to the present wireless devices.In demonstrating my invention before audiences,the visitors were requested to ask any questions,however involved,and the automaton would answer them by signs.This was considered magic at that time but was extremely simple,for it was myself who gave the replies by means of the device.
At the same period another larger telautomatics boat was constructed a photograph of which is shown in this number of the ELECTRICALEXPERIMENTER.It was controlled by loops,having several turns placed in the hull,which was made entirely water-tight and capable of submergence.The apparatus was similar to that used in the first with the exception of certain special features Iintroduced as,for example,incandescent lamps which afforded a visible evidence of the proper functioning of the machine.