Article May 2, 1901 Issue

The Law of Interstellar Measurements

Chicago Times-Herald

One of the most notable scientific discoveries in a century is claimed by an electrical engineer now in this city. H. Barringer Cox, who is known throughout the scientific world for his investigations in electrical phenomena.

This discovery is the long-sought-for law for the measurement of distance between the earth and the sun, moon, and other planets and stars in space. Mr. Cox calls it "the law of interstellar measurements." In importance it is claimed to rank with Newton's law of gravitation.

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Mr. Cox proposes applying his knowledge of physics to the solution of the great problem of computing interstellar distances. It will be the first time, be says, that scientists have attempted to use electricity in their efforts at computing these measurements. Mr. Cox holds that his method will work out as accurately as the electrical instruments now compute distances on the earth's surface.

It is a well-known fact that electricians are now able to compute electrical measurements to the one-billionth part of a unit, and Mr. Cox holds that the delicacy of electrical instruments has been perfected to such a degree that it is high time they should be utilized to catch and record the magnetic waves coining from sister planetary bodies.

That these magnetic waves are transmitted through space and may be recorded is asserted by Nikola Tesla among others. Mr. Tesla believed that he had received communications from Mars, and while Mr. Cox refuses to admit such a possibility, he holds to the theory that Mars, as well as the other members of the solar system, are signaling to the earth and to each other, and have been signaling for millions of years by means of magnetic waves.

His proposition, in brief, is to catch these wave signals and record them even more accurately than it would be possible for light waves to be recorded from the stars.

"It is not in my province to make electrical instruments to record magnetic impulses, nor to build telescopes to observe the movements of heavenly bodies." he says. "I assume only to furnish the system to be utilized in procuring accurate electrical measurements.

"The necessary electrical instruments are obtainable in my own experience with wireless telegraphy and other electrical investigation. I have used instruments that were delicate enough to have recorded these magnetic waves bad they been used for that purpose.

"Mr. Tesla's statements of his belief in extra-terrestrial interference with his instruments is not to be laughed at, but is undoubtedly true.

"Marconi has had similar interferences with his instruments, but they, being possibly not so delicate as Tesla's, did not indicate the effect in such a pronounced manner. The plan which I will propose for my measurements is by the use of well-known electrical and optical devices. At present I do not care to make public the technical means by which my deductions make possible accurate interstellar measurements, but it is no longer a theory with me. It is a demonstrable fact, simple of solution and application, as simple, in fact, as the famous egg demonstration of Columbus.

"The method of employing the means of computation is not so simple, however, but requires technical explanation, assisted by illustrations and diagrams. This technical exposition I desire and expect to give to science and to the public at my earliest possible convenience." Chicago Times-Herald.

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