Images(9)

Coil, Tesla

Object number2013.52.9 a-e

Mediumplastic / metal / glass / wood / vinyl

Credit LineGift of Leland Anderson

DescriptionViolet Ray Kit consisting of black case, three glass attachment inserts for Tesla coil, and brown leather handle.Dimensions(a) Closed: Height: 5.750"; Width: 10.000"; Depth: 4.500"
Open: Heoght: 5.000"; Width: 10.000"; Depth: 9.500"
Hand-Held Coil: Length: 7.250"; Circumference: 5.500"
(b) Length: 6.250"; Circumference: 2.125"
(c) Length: 7.000"; Width: 1.250"
(d) Length: 5.75"; Width: 2.000"
(e) Length: 5.500"; Width: 1.250"
(f) 2.750"; Width: 1.250"

Inscriptions(a)
The exterior of the base has a piece of white paper attached onto which is printed black text: "This is called a Violet Ray Kit. It was popular in the 1910's for electdrotheerapeutic [sic] treatment. There is a small Tesla coil inside with a hand held applicator on a cord into which various size glass tubes are inserted. The kit gets its name from the violet streamer that goes through the glass tubes. In application, the glass tube is touches to thee [sic] body and the Tesla coil turned on. A soothing warming affects the subcutaneous tissues of the body, especially muscles. Later on unwarranted medical claims were advertised for the kit and it fell into disuse. Today, it is widely sought by collectors of antique medical equipment. / L. Anderson".
Marks(a)
A silver metal plate screwed onto the circuit box reads: "WESTERN COIL & ELECTRICAL CO. / RACINE, WIS., U.S.A. / PATS. PENDING VOLTS 110".
Historical NotesViolet Ray Kit. Donor Leland Anderson is a writer and researcher who is the author of a number of published works on the electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla. Tesla, who worked for Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company in 1888, was known for his work on the alternating current system, radio communication, and X-ray technology. Beginning in the 1940s and continuing over the next 50 years, Anderson compiled a large collection of research materials documenting the life and work of Tesla.

Related person Nikola Tesla (1856 - 1943)

Previous owner Leland Anderson

Related institution Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company (1886 - 1945)

Subjects