SOURCE: "The FBI and the Tesla Papers (1943-56)," in Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla, Biography of a Genius, Birch Lane Press, 1996, pp. 446-531.

In the following excerpt, Seifer recounts efforts by the United States government, acting on unconfirmed reports that Tesla had developed a "death ray", to seize and suppress allegedly sensitive papers.

War Department

Military Intelligence Service

22 January 1946

Alien Property Custodian

Dear Sir:

This office is in receipt of a communication from Headquarters, Air Technical Service Command, Wright Field, requesting that we ascertain the whereabouts of the files of the late scientist, Dr. Nichola Tesla, which may contain data of great value to the above Headquarters. . . . In view of the extreme importance of those files . . . we would like to request also that we be advised of any attempt by any other agency to obtain them.

Sincerely yours.

Col. Ralph E. Doty

Chief, Washington Branch...