Alberta's Tesla Wave Social
Feb 23, 2017
SUMMARY NOTES
It was an evening of many cups of tea and some coffee, engaging discussion, ideas and steps forward:
- Tesla Patent 1,655,114 – Apparatus for Aerial Transmission ("helicopter-plane")
The concept of this patent, fully mathematically presented, is a flying apparatus that lifts off with two rotors at the bottom of folded wings—much like a helicopter. Once it lifts, these rotors tilt and become engines on the ends of two wings that unfold to be parallel to the ground. All in all, a hybrid of a helicopter and an airplane.
Almost a hundred years later, we have similar designs in tilt-rotor airplanes, mostly used in military, search and rescue, and the oil and gas industry. These designs take advantage of being able to take off and land without a runway and, once airborne, move quickly forward. Tesla had other aviation-related patents, as in his later life he was very interested in aviation.
Thank you to Aviator Terry Beltaos for preparing the write-up on tilt-rotor airplanes. - THINK LIKE TESLA
We now have several corporate sponsors—thank you!—and a modest pool of resources to introduce a variety of awards and competitions in schools, higher education institutions, and beyond. During our discussion, Mr. Denis Wiart of ONEC Group coined the term “THINK LIKE TESLA” for these awards. Thank you, Denis, as this phrase perfectly reflects what we are all about: inspiring learners of all ages to invent and go beyond the ordinary while engaging in science activities. Absolutely fitting slogan for the awards. - “Sparks will Fly”
This would be an appropriate name for a Tesla event being considered for early summer. Perhaps too ambitious? But if we make it happen, sparks will fly! We are exploring the feasibility of such a project. - March 10 – Tesla Day
To be proclaimed as Tesla Day, Alberta’s Day of Science and Innovation. Alberta’s Tesla Wave will embrace this date as early as 2017 and propose it to municipal and provincial government for consideration. It can be adopted gradually by various learning institutions and organizations until the government is persuaded to officially declare it. We will work on this patiently—as long as it takes—and cover all required steps. - Why March 10th?
Tesla’s Alternating Electric Current Generator No. 447,921 was patented on March 10, 1891. This is a good date as it was a significant patent and fits in the “Science Month of March” along with Pi Day (March 14), which is celebrated as Mathematics Day around the world. Schools are in session and could mark March 10th with a variety of activities. - Permanent Meeting Space
A couple of options are being considered for having a permanent meeting/gathering space. Public places, such as the one we used for this get-together, are not conducive for presentations and focused discussions. Work continues on this. - New Members
Welcome!