Lloyd
Ritchey 
Lloyd
Ritchey
Tesla Coils
and Special Effects
The Science Behind STORMDRAGON
Tesla Coils have provided electrical fireworks for motion pictures and stage since before the advent of the talkies. Films include Metropolis, Frankenstein (et al), Star Wars, Terminator and many, many more. I was awed by the imagery and developed some Tesla effects of my own back in the 70's. The following pages show some of mine and some of "theirs."
Don't try this at home!
My brother, Michael, plays the "Tesla Electric Guitar." The instrument
could actually be played during this effect.
Streamers arc from my conical coil to a 14' diameter ring. I toured this effect
with the Doobie Bros. and Kansas around 1980.
Ken Strickfaden, whom I visited in 19 76, gave me his brochure. Ken did all
the major Tesla effects for the movies from the '30s until the '70s. His last
film was probably Young Frankenstein. Ken was a cool guy, very innovative.
Hey! How did you guys get in here?
Not your standard 110-volt outlet.
