SOLVED. 1970's (?) SciFi Trilogy main character, a scientist/inventor, discovers a new liquid(?) that he calls compound or solution X. At first he applies it to a piece of copper wire that simply disappears, leading him to think the wire is invisible. [s]

[Glen]

I read this series many, many years ago in the mid to late 70's, although they could have been written earlier.

The only distinct detail I remember that might jog some memories is from the first chapter of the first book....

The main character, a scientist/inventor, discovers a new liquid(?) that he calls compound or solution X. At first he applies it to a piece of copper wire that simply disappears, leading him to think the wire is invisible.

What the solution has done though is make the copper travel so suddenly fast (faster than light) that it just seemed to disappear.

He goes on to build a star ship and uses an enclosed fixed ball of copper coated in solution X to power the ship.

His main rival and antagonist copies his research and follows him to the stars where they both discover alien civilizations, technologies and abilities.

A terrific series that I'd love to buy for my son to read.

[Sue]

'Skylark' series by E.E.'Doc' Smith.I agree-a great series.
Have you read his D'Alembert series?
"Skylark
1. The Skylark of Space (1928) (with Lee H Garby)
2. Skylark Three (1948)
3. Skylark of Valeron (1949)
4. Skylark DuQuesne (1966)"

[Kris]

Here's the link for The Skylark of Space.
An Amazon reviewer mentions: "In his processing, Seaton has a small accident with the waste. While electrolyzing the solution, a little waste spills into the copper steam-bath. He snatchers up the beaker, but the heavy bath plows through his lab apparatus and disappears out the window at high speed. The accident makes an exciting bit of gossip in the Lab. The next day, Dick tries to recreate the incident with a piece of copper wire, but nothing happens... He puts an electric current through the wire and it goes through the brick wall... His investigations show that the unknown element catalyzes the release of the total energy of the copper."

[Justanotherbiblophile]

Man, I was gonna suggest Smith, but only ever seen/read parts of Lensman...

[Glen]

That is indeed the series I've been looking for, for so long. Thank you Sue. :)))