Tesla’s Medal

After decades of fielding questions about possible cover-ups, the FBI finally declassified over two hundred pages of Tesla-related documents under the Freedom of Information Act in 2016. The following two letters were among the released papers.

By way of background, Nikolai Tesla's prized Edison Medal (awarded in 1917 by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers), disappeared soon after the inventor's death in 1943. To this day, its whereabouts are still unknown.

Kenneth M. Swezey considered Nikola Tesla a good friend. He’d known the inventor for twenty years: in fact, their friendship had flourished right up to Tesla’s death in January 1943.

Having endured enough of the FBI’s corpocratic trickery, Mr. Swezey’s frustration finally outgrew his patience. In a formal letter dated June 25th, 1955, he wrote to the FBI appealing for clarity surrounding the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Tesla’s Edison Medal:

“… If that is so, I thought that perhaps some of your men might remember the conditions under which the search was made and therefore might have a suggestion as to what could have happened to the medal. After this long time, I have no hope that the medal can actually be restored, and I am already trying to interest Americans in making a replacement. But future biographers might be spared a lot of wild guessing and wrong blaming if some hint could be obtained as to whether the original got lost, strayed, or stolen—and who might’ve been responsible.

With best regards and sincere appreciation for any help you can give,

Sincerely

Kenneth M. Swezey”

With uncharacteristic haste, it took the FBI a mere five days to respond to Mr Swezey’s letter:

“Dear Mr Swezey

With reference to your letter of June 25th, 1955, our files disclose the effects of Nikola Tesla were taken into custody after his death by the Office of Alien Property and not by this Bureau.

Since we did not participate in the handling of Mr. Tesla’s effects, we are unable to supply the information you requested.

Sincerely yours

J. Edgar Hoover

Director”

As a writer of ‘faction’ —a portmanteau word that describes the blending of fact and fiction—I take great delight in merging my fictitious characters with actual historical events. The mystery behind Tesla’s stolen medal forms an important motif in the 4th book of the ‘Dax Hunter Files’ — ‘A Bastion of Truth.’

Here’s an excerpt from that book.

Jethro hummed quietly to himself as he studied every magnified pit, scratch and mark on the coin.

“What’s it worth?” blurted O’Flaherty.

He’s nervous, thought the broker. And for very good reason. “Please, one moment,” he said, turning the coin over in his delicate hand.

After an eternity, Elbaz placed the coin on a soft cloth, prised the loupe from his eye socket, then drew a hand down the front of his lined face. The gesture was intentionally laden with bad tidings.

The Irishman’s buttocks clenched and unclenched.

“My friend,” said Jethro with the solemnity of a rabbi. “This is indeed a one-of-a-kind piece.”

The broker knew precisely what it was and could only guess at its value.

“But it’s obvious that this medallion was stolen before it came into your possession.” Mr. Elbaz knew better than to impugn his customer’s integrity. “I am always wary of trading in such items,” he lied smoothly. O’Flaherty was getting desperate. “But it must be worth thousands.”

“Ah, my friend, it may indeed. But remember, I’d have to offload this item in the … how can I say this? In the most discreet manner possible.”

“But surely it’s a collector’s item,” said the Irishman.

He’s starting to sound desperate, thought Elbaz, knowing it was the best time to snatch a bargain.

“To the right person, it probably is. But understand, I can’t just put it on display, let alone advertise it.”