David J. Kent's Blog, page 73

Reflections on My Anniversary (or, Why I Became a Science Traveler)

One year ago today I left behind the first half of my life. After more than 30 years as a working scientist I had decided to give up a comfortable salary for a life of (essentially) no income. I would … Continue reading →

10 Things You Don’t Know About Edison vs Tesla

Way back in May I was contacted by a producer for a TV series for the History Channel called “10 Things You Don’t Know About,” hosted by Henry Rollins. They were interested in doing a program on the rivalry between … Continue reading →

Vietnam for Americans – Redux

I went to Hanoi before going to Hanoi became cool. Long after the Vietnam War but before the United States normalized relations with the unified communist nation, my first major trip out of the country was to a place that … Continue reading →

The Gravel Roads of Patagonia

Thump. My leg instinctively jerks away even though this is the tenth time a rock has stung the floorboards beneath my foot. The ping strikes my ears a split second after the thump has stimulated my autonomic reaction. Thump, ping, … Continue reading →

Buy a Brick for Nik – Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe

I bought a brick for Nik – Nikola Tesla, that is. And you can too. If you’ve been following this website you know of the extraordinary efforts to purchase Tesla’s last laboratory at Wardenclyffe and turn it into a science … Continue reading →

Science Traveling – Ipswich

It’s a busy week of writing – I’m working on articles for the Lincoln Group of DC newsletter, for Tesla Magazine, and for the Smithsonian Civil War Studies website. Amidst all of this I’m out science traveling. More on that … Continue reading →

Did Nikola Tesla Harness Energy from the Rain?

Nikola Tesla is well known for harnessing the power of Niagara Falls. But did he also figure out how to harness power from the rain? Whereas hydroelectric power is limited to areas with significant natural drops like Niagara or artificial … Continue reading →

Nikola Tesla and Abraham Lincoln – The World’s Fair Connection

Though Nikola Tesla was born only nine years before the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and half a world apart, there nevertheless are an uncanny number of connections between the two great men. One of them involves a World’s Fair (two, … Continue reading →

Book Review – Lethal Code by Thomas Waite

Thomas Waite is an author of thriller novels. I reviewed his first book, Terminal Value, last summer. His newest book, Lethal Code, is even better. Here’s my review as posted on Goodreads. This was a fun book to read, and … Continue reading →

Mourning Robin Williams, With a Poem Written for Abraham Lincoln

The world woke up this morning to the news of the untimely death of actor, comedian, and humanitarian Robin Williams. Having been a fan of his since his first appearance as Mork on the sitcom Happy Days, before he spun … Continue reading →