"ELECTROGRAVITICS SYSTEMS"
An examination of electrostatic motion,
dynamic counterbary and barycentric control.
Prepared by:
Gravity Research Group
Aviation Studies (International) Limited
Special Weapons Study Unit
29-31 Cheval Place, Knightsbridge
London, S.W.7. England
Report GRG-013/56 February 1956.
AF Wright Aeronautical Laboratories
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Technical Library
Dayton, Ohio 45433
TL 565 A9
Bar Code: 3 1401 00034 5879
CONTENTS
Introductory Notes.................... 1
Discussion.................................. 3
Conclusions................................ 18
APPENDIX
I - Aviation Report Extracts...... 21
II - Electrostatic Patents........... 33
* * *
PROPERTY OF USAF
Page 1
ELECTROGRAVITICS SYSTEMS
An examination of electrostatic motion, dynamic counterbary and barycentric control.
It has been accepted as axiomatic that the way to offset the effects of gravity is to use a lifting surface and considerable molecular energy to
produce a continuously applied force that, for a limited period of time, can remain greater than the effects of gravitational attraction. The original
invention of the glider and evolution of the briefly self-sustaining glider, at the turn of the century led to progressive advances in power and
knowledge. This has been directed to refining the classic Wright Brothers' approach. Aircraft design is still fundamentally as the Wrights
adumbrated it, with wings, body, tails, moving or flapping controls, landing gear and so forth. The Wright biplane was a powered glider, and
all subsequent aircraft, including the supersonic jets of the nineteen-fifties are also powered gliders. Only one fundamentally different flying
principle has so far been adopted with varying degrees of success. It is the rotating wing aircraft that has led to the jet lifters and vertical
pushers, coleopters, ducted fans and lift induction turbine propulsion systems.
But during these decades there was always the possibility of making efforts to discover the nature of gravity from cosmic or quantum theory,
investigation and observation, with a view to discerning the physical properties of aviation's enemy.
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It has seemed to Aviation Studies that for some time insufficient attention has been directed to this kind of research. If it were successful such
developments would change the concept of sustentation, and confer upon a vehicle qualities that would now be regarded as the ultimate in
aviation.
This report summarizes in simple form the work that has been done and is being done in the new field of electrogravitics. It also outlines the
various possible lines of research into the nature and constituent matter of gravity, and how it has changed from Newton to Einstein to the
modern Hlavaty concept of gravity as an electromagnetic force that may be controlled like a light wave.
The report also contains an outline of opinions on the feasibility of different electrogravitics systems and there is reference to some of the
barycentric control and electrostatic rigs in operation.
Also included is a list of references to electrogravitics in successive Aviation Reports since a drive was started by Aviation Studies
(International) Limited to suggest to aviation business eighteen months ago that the rewards of success are too far-reaching to be overlooked,
especially in view of the hopeful judgement of the most authoritative voices in microphysics. Also listed are some relevant patents on
electrostatics and electrostatic generators in the United States, United Kingdom and France.
[Signed]
Gravity Research Group
25 February 1956
Page 3
DISCUSSION
Electrogravitics might be described as a synthesis of electrostatic energy used for propulsion - either vertical propulsion or horizontal or both -
and gravitics, or dynamic counterbary, in which energy is also used to set up a local gravitational force independent of the earth's.
Electrostatic energy for propulsion has been predicted as a possible means of propulsion in space when the thrust from a neutron motor or ion
motor would be sufficient in a dragless environment to produce astronomical velocities. But the ion motor is not strictly a part of the science of
electrogravitics, since barycentric control in an electrogravitics system is envisaged for a vehicle operating within the earth's environment and it
is not seen initially for space application. Probably large scale space operations would have to await the full development of electrogravitics to
enable large pieces of equipment to be moved out of the region of the earth's strongest gravity effects. So, though electrostatic motors were
thought of in 1925, electrogravitics had its birth after the War, when Townsend Brown sought to improve on the various proposals that then
existed for electrostatic motors sufficiently to produce some visible manifestation of sustained motion. Whereas earlier electrostatic tests were
essentially pure research, Brown's rigs were aimed from the outset at producing a flying article. As a private venture he produced evidence of
motion using condensers in a couple of saucers suspended by arms rotating round a central tower with input running down the arms. The
massive-k situation was summarized subsequently in a report, Project Winterhaven, in 1952. Using the data some conclusions were arrived at
that might be expected from ten or more years of
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intensive development - similar to that, for instance, applied to the turbine engine. Using a number of assumptions as to the nature of gravity,
the report postulated a saucer as the basis of a possible interceptor with Mach 3 capability. Creation of a local gravitational system would
confer upon the fighter the sharp-edged changes of direction typical of motion in space.
The essence of electrogravitics thrust is the use of a very strong positive charge on one side of the vehicle and a negative on the other. The
core of the motor is a condenser and the ability of the condenser to hold its charge (the k-number) is the yardstick of performance. With air as
1, current dielectrical materials can yield 6 and use of barium aluminate can raise this considerably, barium titanium oxide (a baked ceramic) can
offer 6,000 and there is promise of 30,000, which would be sufficient for supersonic speed.
The original Brown rig produced 30 fps on a voltage of around 50,000 and a small amount of current in the milliamp range. There was no detailed
explanation of gravity in Project Winterhaven, but it was assumed that particle dualism in the subatomic structure of gravity would coincide in
its effect with the issuing stream of electrons from the electrostatic energy source to produce counterbary. The Brown work probably remains a
realistic approach to the practical realization of electrostatic propulsion and sustentation. Whatever may be discovered by the Gravity Research
Foundation of New Boston a complete understanding and synthetic reproduction of gravity is not essential for limited success. The
electrogravitics saucer can perform the function of a classic lifting surface - it produces a pushing effect on the under surface and a suction
effect on the upper, but, unlike the airfoil, it does not require a flow of air to produce the effect.
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First attempts at electrogravitics are unlikely to produce counterbary, but may lead to development of an electrostatic VTOL vehicle. Even in its
developed form this might be an advance on the molecular heat engine in its capabilities. But hopes in the new science depend on an
understanding of the close identity of electrostatic motivating forces with the source and matter of gravity. It is fortuitous that lift can be
produced in the traditional fashion and if an understanding of gravity remains beyond full practical control, electrostatic lift might be an adjunct
of some significance to modern thrust producers. Research into electrostatics could prove beneficial to turbine development, and heat engines
in general, in view of the usable electron potential round the periphery of any flame. Materials for electrogravitics and especially the
development of commercial quantities of high-k material is another dividend to be obtained from electrostatic research even if it produces no
counterbary. This is a line of development that Aviation Studies, Gravity Research Group is following.
One of the interesting aspects of electrogravitics is that a breakthrough in almost any part of the broad front of general research on the
intranuclear processes may be translated into a meaningful advance towards the feasibility of electrogravitics systems. This demands constant
monitoring in the most likely areas of the physics of high energy sub-nuclear particles. It is difficult to be overoptimistic about the prospects of
gaining so complete a grasp of gravity while the world's physicists are still engaged in a study of fundamental particles - that is to say those
that cannot be broken down any more. Fundamental particles are still being discovered - the most recent was the Segre-Chamberlain-Wiegand
attachment to the bevatron, which was used to isolate the missing anti-proton, which must - or should be presumed to - exist according to
Dirac's theory of the electron.
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Much of the accepted mathematics of particles would be wrong if the anti-proton was proved to be non-existent. Earlier Eddington has listed
the
fundamental particles as:-
It is generally held that no one of these can be inferred from the others. But electrons may well disappear from among the fundamental particles,
though, as Russell says, it is likely that e and m will survive. The constants are much more established than the interpretation of them and are
among the most solid of achievements in modern physics.
* * *
Gravity may be defined as a small scale departure from Euclidean space in the general theory of relativity. The gravitational constant is one of
four dimensionless constants: first, the mass relation of the nucleon and electron. Second is (e*e)/(h*c) [equation form], third, the Compton
wavelength of the proton, and fourth is the gravitational constant, which is the ratio of the electrostatic
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to the gravitational attraction between the electron and the proton.
One of the stumbling blocks in electrogravitics is the absence of any satisfactory theory linking these four dimensionless quantities. Of the four
moreover, gravity is decidedly the most complex, since any explanation would have to satisfy both cosmic and quantum relations more
acceptably and intelligibly even than in the unified field theory. A gravitational constant of around 10.E-39 [equation form] has emerged from
quantum research and this has been used as a tool for finding theories that could link the two relations. This work is now in full progress, and
developments have to be watched for the aviation angle. Hitherto Dirac, Eddington, Jordan and others have produced differences in theory that
are too wide to be accepted as consistent. It means therefore that (i) without a cosmical basis, and (ii) with an imprecise quantum basis
and (iii) a vague hypothesis on the interaction, much remains still to be discovered. Indeed some say that a single interacting theory to link up
the dimensionless constants is one of three major unresolved basic problems of physics. The other two main problems are the extension of
quantum theory and a more detailed knowledge of the fundamental particles.
All this is some distance from Newton, who saw gravity as a force acting on a body from a distance, leading to the tendency of bodies to
accelerate towards each other. He allied this assumption with Euclidean geometry, and time was assumed as uniform and acted independently
of space. Bodies and particles in space normally moved uniformly in straight lines according to Newton, and to account for the way they
sometimes do not do so, he used the idea of a force of gravity acting at a distance, in which particles of matter cause in others an acceleration
proportional to their mass, and inversely proportional to the
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square of the distance between them.
But Einstein showed how the principle of least action, or the so-called cosmic laziness means that particles, on the contrary, follow the easiest
path along geodesic lines and as a result they get readily absorbed into space-time. So was born non-linear physics. The classic example of
non-linear physics is the experiment in bombarding a screen with two slits. When both slits are open particles going through are not the sum
of the two individually but follows a non-linear equation. This leads on to wave-particle dualism and that in turn to the Heisenberg uncertainty
principle in which an increase in accuracy in measurement of one physical quantity means decreasing accuracy in measuring the other. If time
is measured accurately energy calculations will be in error; the more accurate the position of a particle is established the less certain the
velocity will be; and so on. This basic principle of the acausality of microphysics affects the study of gravity in the special and general theories
of relativity. Lack of pictorial image in the quantum physics of this interrelationship is a difficulty at the outset for those whose minds remain
obstinately Euclidean.
In the special theory of relativity, space-time is seen only as an undefined interval which can be defined in any way that is convenient and the
Newtonian idea of persistent particles in motion to explain gravity cannot be accepted. It must be seen rather as a synthesis of forces in a four
dimensional continuum, three to establish the position and one the time. The general theory of relativity that followed a decade later was a
geometrical explanation of gravitation in which bodies take the geodesic path through space-time. In turn this means that instead of the idea
of force acting at a distance it is assumed that space, time, radiation and particles are linked and variations in them from gravity are due rather
to the nature of space.
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Thus gravity of a body such as the earth instead of pulling objects towards it as Newton postulated, is adjusting the characteristics of space
and, it may be inferred, the quantum mechanics of space in the vicinity of the gravitational force. Electrogravitics aims at correcting this
adjustment to put matter, so to speak, 'at rest'.
* * *
One of the difficulties in 1954 and 1955 was to get aviation to take electrogravitics seriously. The name alone was enough to put people off.
However, in the trade much progress has been made and now most major companies in the United States are interested in counterbary. Groups
are being organised to study electrostatic and electromagnetic phenomena. Most of industry's leaders have made some reference to it. Douglas
has now stated that it has counterbary on its work agenda but does not expect results yet awhile. Hiller has referred to new forms of flying
platform, Glenn Martin say gravity control could be achieved in six years, but they add that it would entail a Manhattan District type of effort
to bring it about. Sikorsky, one of the pioneers, more or less agrees with the Douglas verdict and says that gravity is tangible and formidable,
but there must be a physical carrier for this immense trans-spatial force. This implies that where a physical manifestation exists, a physical
device can be developed for creating a similar force moving in the opposite direction to cancel it. Clarke Electronics state they have a rig, and
add that in their view the source of gravity's force will be understood sooner than some people think. General Electric is working on the use of
electronic rigs designed to make adjustments to gravity - this line of attack has the advantage of using rigs already in existence for other
defence work. Bell also has an experimental rig intended, as
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the company puts it, to cancel out gravity, and Lawrence Bell has said he is convinced that practical hardware will emerge from current
programs. Grover Leoning is certain that what he referred to as an electro-magnetic contra-gravity mechanism will be developed for practical
use. Convair is extensively committed to the work with several rigs. Lear Inc., autopilot and electronic engineers have a division of the
company working on gravity research and so also has the Sperry division of Sperry-Rand. This list embraces most of the U.S. aircraft industry.
The remainder, Curtiss-Wright, Lockheed, Boeing and North American have not yet declared themselves, but all these four are known to be in
various stages of study with and without rigs.
In addition, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is working on gravity, the Gravity Research Foundation of New Boston, the Institute
for Advanced Study at Princeton, the CalTech Radiation Laboratory, Princeton University and the University of North Carolina are all active in
gravity. Glenn L. Martin is setting up a Research Institute for Advanced Study which has a small staff working on gravity research with the
unified field theory and this group is committed to extensive programs of applied research. Many others are also known to be studying gravity,
some are known also to be planning a general expansion in this field, such as in the proposed Institute for Pure Physics at the University of
North Carolina.
A certain amount of work is also going on in Europe. One of the French nationalized constructors and one company outside the nationalized
elements have been making preliminary studies, and a little company money has in one case actually been committed. Some work is also going
on in Britain where rigs are now in existence. Most of it is private venture work, such
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as that being done by Ed Hull a colleague of Townsend Brown who, as much as anybody, introduced Europe to electrogravitics. Aviation
Studies' Gravity Research Group is doing some work, mainly on k studies, and is sponsoring dielectric investigations.
One Swedish company and two Canadian companies have been making studies, and quite recently the Germans have woken up to the
possibilities. Several of the companies have started digging out some of the early German papers on wave physics. They are almost certain to
plan a gravitics program. Curiously enough the Germans during the war paid no attention to electrogravitics. This is one line of advance that
they did not pioneer in any way and it was basically a U.S. creation. Townsend Brown in electrogravitics is the equivalent of Frank Whittle in
gas turbines. This German overlooking of electrostatics is even more surprising when it is remembered how astonishingly advanced and
prescient the Germans were in nuclear research. (The modern theory of making thermonuclear weapons without plutonium fission initiators
returns to the original German idea that was dismissed, even ridiculed. The Germans never went very far with fission, indeed they doubted that
this chain would ever be made to work. The German air industry, still in the embryo stage, has included electrogravitics among the subjects it
intends to examine when establishing the policy that the individual companies will adopt after the present early stage of foreign licence has
enabled industry to get abreast of the other countries in aircraft development.
* * *
It is impossible to read through this summary of the widening efforts being made to understand the nature of matter of gravity without sharing
the hope that many groups now have, of major theoretical breakthroughs occurring before very long.
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Experience in nucleonics has shown that when attempts to win knowledge on this scale are made, advances are soon seen. There are a number
of elements in industry, and some managements, who see gravity as a problem for later generations. Many see nothing in it all and they may be
right. But as said earlier, if Dr. Vaclav Hlavaty thinks gravity is potentially controllable that surely should be justification enough, and indeed
inspiration, for physicists to apply their minds and for management to take a risk. Hlavaty is the only man who thinks he can see a way of
doing the mathematics to demonstrate Einstein's unified field theory - something that Einstein himself said was beyond him. Relativity and the
unified field theory go to the root of electrogravitics and the shifts in thinking, the hopes and fears, and a measure of progress is to be obtained
only in the last resort from men of this stature.
Major theoretical breakthroughs to discover the sources of gravity will be made by the most advanced intellects using the most advanced
research tools. Aviation's role is therefore to impress upon physicists of this calibre with the urgency of the matter and to aid them with
statistical and peripheral investigations that will help to clarify the background to the central mathematical and physical puzzles. Aviation
could also assist by recruiting some of these men as advisers. Convair has taken the initiative with its recently established panel of advisers
on nuclear projects, which include Dr. Edward Teller of the University of California. At the same time much can be done in development of
laboratory rigs, condenser research and dielectric development, which do not require anything like the same cerebral capacity to get results
and make a practical contribution
As gravity is likely to be linked with the new particles, only the highest powered particle accelerators are likely to be of use
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in further fundamental knowledge. The country with the biggest tools of this kind is in the best position to examine the characteristics of the
particles and from those countries the greatest advances seem most likely.
Though the United States has the biggest of the bevatron - the Berkeley bevatron is 6.2 bev - the Russians have a 10 bev accelerator in
construction which, when it is completed, will be the world's largest. At Brookhaven a 25 bev instrument is in development which, in turn, will be
the biggest. Other countries without comparable facilities are of course at a great disadvantage from the outset in the contest to discover the
explanation of gravity. Electrogravitics, moreover, unfortunately competes with nuclear studies for its facilities. The clearest thinking brains are
bound to be attracted to localities where the most extensive laboratory equipment exists. So, one way and another, results are most likely to
come from the major countries with the biggest undertakings. Thus the nuclear facilities have a direct bearing on the scope for electrogravitics
work.
The OEEC report in January made the following points:
The U.S. has six to eight entirely different types of reactor in operation and many more under construction. Europe has now two different types
in service.
The U.S. has about 30 research reactors plus four in Britain,, two in France.
The U.S. has two nuclear-powered marine engines. Europe has none, but the U.K. is building one.
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Isotope separation plants for the enrichment of uranium in the U.S. are roughly 11 times larger than the European plant in Britain.
Europe's only heavy water plant (in Norway) produces somewhat less than one-twentieth of American output.
In 1955 the number of technicians employed in nuclear energy work in the U.S. was about 15,000; there are about 5,000 in Britain, 1,800 in France,
and about 19,000 in the rest of Europe. But the working party says that pessimistic conclusions should not be drawn from these comparisons.
European nuclear energy effort is unevenly divided at the moment, but some countries have notable achievements to their credit and important
developments in prospect. The main reason for optimism is that, taken as a whole, "Europe's present nuclear effort falls very far short of its
industrial potential".
Though gravity research, such as there has been of it, has been unclassified, new principles and information gained from the nuclear research
facilities that have a vehicle application is expected to be withheld.
The heart of the problem to understanding gravity is likely to prove to be the way in which the very high energy sub-nuclear particles convert
something, whatever it is, continuously and automatically into the tremendous nuclear and electromagnetic forces. Once this key is understood,
attention can later be directed to finding laboratory means of duplicating the process and reversing its force lines in some local environment
and returning the energy to itself to produce counterbary. Looking beyond it seems possible that gravitation will be shown to be a part of the
universal electro-magnetic processes and controlled
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in the same way as a light wave or radio wave. This is a synthesis of the Einstein and Hlavaty concepts. Hence it follows that though in its
initial form the mechanical processes for countering gravity may initially be massive to deal with the massive forces involved, eventually this
could be expected to form some central power generation unit. Barycentric control in some required quantity could be passed over a distance
by a form of radio wave. The prime energy source to energise the waves would of course be nuclear in its origins.
It is difficult to say which lines of detailed development being processed in the immediate future is more likely to yield significant results.
Perhaps the three most promising are: first, the new attempt by the team of men led by Chamberlain working with the Berkeley bevatron to find
the anti-neutron, and to identify more of the characteristics of the anti-proton* and each of the string of high energy particles that have been
discovered during recent operation at 6. 2 bev.
A second line of approach is the United States National Bureau of Standards program to pin down with greater accuracy the acceleration values
of gravity. The presently accepted figure
-------------------------------------------------------------
* The reaction is as follows: protons are accelerated to 6.2 bev, and directed at a target of copper. When the proton projectile hits a neutron in
one of the copper atoms the following emerge: the two original particles (the projectile and the struck neutron) and a new pair of particles, a
proton and anti-proton. The anti-proton continues briefly until it hits another proton, then both disappear and decay into mesons.
------------------------------------------------------------
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of 32.174 feet per second per second is known to be not comprehensive, though it has been sufficiently accurate for the limited needs of
industry hitherto. The NBS program aims at re-determining the strength of gravity to within one part of a million. The present method has been
to hold a ball 16 feet up and chart the elapsed time of descent with electronic measuring equipment. The new program is based on the old, but
with this exceptional degree of accuracy it is naturally immensely more difficult and is expected to take 3 years.
A third promising line is the new technique of measuring high energy particles in motion that was started by the University of California last
year. This involves passing cosmic rays through a chamber containing a mixture of gas, alcohol and water vapour. This creates charged atoms,
or positive ions, by knocking electrons off the gas molecules. A sudden expansion of the chamber results in a condensation of water droplets
along the track which can be plotted on a photographic plate. This method makes it easier to assess the energy of particles and to distinguish
one from the other. It also helps to establish the characteristics of the different types of particle. The relationship between these high energy
particles and their origin, and characteristics have a bearing on electrogravitics in general.
So much of what has to be discovered as a necessary preliminary to gravity is of no practical use by itself. There is no conceivable use, for
instance, for the anti-proton, yet its discovery even at a cost of $9-million is essential to check the mathematics of the fundamental components
of matter. Similarly it is necessary to check that all the nuclear ghosts that have been postulated theoretically do in fact exist. It is not, moreover,
sufficient, as in the past, only to observe the particles by
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radiation counters. In each instance a mechanical maze has to be devised and attached to a particle accelerator to trap only the particle
concerned. Each discovery becomes a wedge for a deeper probe of the nucleus. Many of the particles of very high energy have only a fleeting
existence and collisions that give rise to them from bevatron bombardment is a necessary prerequisite to an understanding of gravity. There are
no shortcuts to this process.
Most of the major programs for extending human knowledge on gravity are being conducted with instruments already in use for nuclear research
and to this extent the cost of work exclusively on gravitational examinations is still not of major proportions. This has made it difficult for
aviation to gauge the extent of the work in progress on gravity research.
* * *
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CONCLUSIONS
1. No attempts to control the magnitude or direction of the earth's gravitational force have yet been successful. But if the explanation of gravity
is to be found in the as yet undetermined characteristics of the very high energy particles it is becoming increasingly possible with the bevatron
to work with the constituent matter of gravity. It is therefore reasonable to expect that the new bevatron may, before long, be used to
demonstrate limited gravitational control.
2. An understanding and identification of these particles is on the frontiers of human knowledge, and a full assessment of them is one of the
major unresolved puzzles of the nucleus. An associated problem is to discover a theory to account for the cosmic and quantum relations of
gravity, and a theory to link the gravitational constant with the other three dimensionless constants.
3. Though the obstacles to an adequate grasp of microphysics still seem formidable, the transportation rewards that could follow from
electrogravitics are as high as can be envisaged. In a weightless environment, movement with sharp-edged changes of direction could offer
unique manoeuvrability.
4. Determination of the environment of the anti-proton, discovery
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of the anti-neutron and closer examination of the other high energy particles are preliminaries to the hypothesis that gravity is one aspect of
electromagnetism that may eventually be controlled like a wave. When the structure of the nucleus becomes clearer, the influence of the
gravitational force upon the nucleus and the nature of its behaviour in space will be more readily understood. This is a great advance on the
Newtonian concept of gravity acting at a distance.
5. Aviation's role appears to be to establish facilities to handle many of the peripheral and statistical investigations to help fill in the background
on electrostatics.
6. A distinction has to be made between electrostatic energy for propulsion and counterbary. Counterbary is the manipulation of gravitational
force lines; barycentric control is the adjustment to such manipulative capability to produce a stable type of motion suitable for
transportation.
7. Electrostatic energy sufficient to produce low speeds (a few thousand dynes, has already been demonstrated. Generation of a region of
positive electrostatic energy on one side of a plate and negative on the other sets up the same lift or propulsion effect as the pressure and
suction below and above a wing, except that in the case of electrostatic application no airflow is necessary.
8. Electrostatic energy sufficient to produce a Mach 3 fighter is possible with megavolt energies and a k of over 10,000.
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9. k figures of 6,000 have been obtained from some ceramic materials and there are prospects of 30,000.
10. Apart from electrogravitics there are other rewards from investment in electrostatic equipment. Automation, autonetics and even turbine
development use similar laboratory facilities.
11. Progress in electrogravitics probably awaits a new genius in physics who can find a single equation to tie up all the conflicting observations
and theory on the structure and arrangement of forces and the part the high energy particles play in the nucleus. This can occur any time, and
the chances are improved now that bev. energies are being obtained in controlled laboratory conditions.
APPENDIX I
EXTRACTS FROM AVIATION REPORT
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ANTI-GRAVITATION RESEARCH
The basic research and technology behind electro-anti-gravitation is so much in its infancy
that this is perhaps one field of development where not only the methods but the ideas are secret. Nothing therefore can be
discussed freely at the moment. Very few papers on the subject have been prepared so far, and the only schemes that have seen
the light of day are for pure research into rigs designed to make objects float around freely in a box. There are various radio
applications, and aviation medicine departments have been looking for something that will enable them to study the physiological
effects on the digestion and organs of an environment without gravity. There are however long term aims of a more revolutionary
nature that envisage equipment that can defeat gravity. Aviation Report 20 August 1954
MANAGERIAL POLICY FOR ANTI-GRAVITICS
The prospect of engineers devising gravity-defeating equipment - or perhaps it should be described as the creation of pockets of
weightless environments - does suggest that as a long term policy aircraft constructors will be required to place even more
emphasis on electro-mechanical industrial plant, than is now required for the transition from manned to unmanned weapons.
Anti-gravitics work is therefore likely to go to companies with the biggest electrical laboratories and facilities. It is also apparent
that anti-gravitics, like other advanced sciences, will be initially sponsored for its weapon capabilities. There are perhaps two broad
ways of using the science - one is to postulate the design of advanced type projectiles on their best inherent capabilities, and the
more critical parameters (that now constitutes the design limitation) can be eliminated by anti-gravitics. The other, which is a
longer term plan, is to create an entirely new environment with devices operating entirely under an anti-gravity envelope. Aviation
Report 24 August 1954
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THE GREATER THE EASIER
Propulsion and atomic energy Trends are similar in one respect: the more incredible the long term capabilities are, the easier it is to
attain them. It is strange that the greatest of nature's secrets can be harnessed with decreasing industrial effort, but greatly
increasing mental effort. The Americans went through the industrial torture to produce tritium for the first thermonuclear
experiment, but later both they and the Russians were able to achieve much greater results with the help of lithium 6 hydride. The
same thing is happening in aviation propulsion: the nuclear fuels are promising to be tremendously powerful in their effect, but
excessively complicated in their application, unless there can be some means of direct conversion as in the strontium 90 cell. But
lying behind and beyond the nuclear fuels is the linking of electricity to gravity, which is an incomparably more powerful way of
harnessing energy than the only method known to human intellect at present - electricity and magnetism. Perhaps the magic of
barium aluminium oxide will perform the miracle in propulsion that lithium 6 hydride has done in the fusion weapon. Certainly it is a
well-known material in dielectrics, but when one talks of massive-k, one means of course five figures. At this early stage it is
difficult to relate k to Mach numbers with any certainty, but realizable k can, with some kinds of arithmetic, produce astounding
velocities. They are achievable, moreover, with decreasing complexity, indeed the ultimate becomes the easiest in terms of
engineering, but the most hideous in terms of theory. Einstein's general theory of relativity is, naturally, and important factor, but
some of the postulates appear to depend on the unified field theory, which cannot yet be physically checked because nobody
knows how to do it. Einstein hopes to find a way of doing so before he dies. Aviation Report 31 August 1954
GRAVITICS FORMULATIONS
All indications are that there has still been little cognizance of the potentialities of electrostatic propulsion and it will be a major
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undertaking to re-arrange aircraft plants to conduct large-scale research and development into novel forms of dielectric and to
improve condenser efficiencies and to develop the novel type of materials used for fabrication of the primary structure. Some
extremely ambitious theoretical programs have been submitted and work towards realization of a manned vehicle has begun. On
the evidence, there are far more definite indications that the incredible claims are realizable than there was, for instance, in
supposing that uranium fission would result in a bomb. At least it is known, proof positive, that motion, using surprisingly low k, is
possible. The fantastic control that again is feasible, has not yet been demonstrated, but there is no reason to suppose the arithmetic
is faulty, especially as it has already led to a quite brisk example of actual propulsion. That first movement was indeed an historic
occasion, reminiscent of the momentous day at Chicago when the first pile went critical, and the phenomenon was scarcely less
weird. It is difficult to imagine just where a well-organised examination into long term gravitics prospects would end. Though a
circular platform is electrostatically convenient, it does not necessarily follow that the requirements of control by differential
changes would be the same. Perhaps the strangest part of this whole chapter is how the public managed to foresee the concept
though not of course the theoretical principles that gave rise to it, before physical tests confirmed that the mathematics was right.
It is interesting also that there is no point of contact between the conventional science of aviation and the New: it is a radical
offshoot with no common principles. Aerodynamics, structures, heat engines, flapping controls, and all the rest of aviation is part
of what might be called the Wright Brothers era - even the Mach 2.5 thermal barrier piercers are still Wright Brothers concepts,
in the sense that they fly and they stall, and they run out of fuel after a short while, and they defy the earth's pull for a short while.
Thus this century will be divided into two parts - almost to the day. The first half belonged to the Wright Brothers who foresaw
nearly all the basic issues in which gravity was the bitter foe. In part of the second half gravity will be the great provider.
Electrical energy, rather irrelevant for propulsion in
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the first half becomes a kind of catalyst to motion, in the second half of the century. Aviation Report 7 September 1954
ELECTRO-GRAVITICS PARADOX
Realization of electro-static propulsion seems to depend on two theoretical twists and two practical ones. The two theoretical
puzzles are: first, how to make a condenser the centre of a propulsion system, and second is how to link the condenser system
with the gravitational field. There is a third problem, but it is some way off yet, which is how to manipulate kva for control in all
three axes as well as for propulsion and lift. The two practical tricks are first how, with say a Mach 3 weapon in mind, to handle
50,000 kva within the envelope of a thin pancake of 35 feet in diameter and second how to generate such power from within so
small a space. The electrical power in a small aircraft is more than is a fair sized community the analogy being that a single
rocketjet can provide as much power as can be obtained from the Hoover Dam. It will naturally take as long to develop
electro-static propulsion as it has taken to coax the enormous power outputs from heat engines. True there might be a flame in the
electro-gravitic propulsion system, but it would not be a heat engine - the temperature of the flame would be incidental to the
function of the chemical burning process. The curious thing is that though electro-static propulsion is the antithesis of magnetism,
* Einstein's unified field theory is an attempt to link gravitation with electro-magnetism. This all-embracing theory goes on logically
from the general theory of relativity, that gives an ingenious geometrical interpretation of the concept of force which is
mathematically consistent with gravitation but fails in the case of electro-magnetism, while the special theory of relativity is
concerned with the relationship between mass and energy. The general theory of relativity fails to account for electro-magnetism
because the forces are proportional to the charge and not to the mass. The unified field theory is one of a number of attempts that
have been made to bridge this gap, but it is baffling to imagine how it could ever be observed. Einstein himself thinks it is virtually
impossible. However Hlavaty claims now to have solved the equations by assuming that gravitation is a manifestation of
electro-magnetism. This being so it is all the more incredible that electro-static
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Though in a sense this is true, it is better expressed in the body of this report than it was here in 1954.
Page 25
propulsion (with kva for convenience fed into the system and not self-generated) has actually been demonstrated. It may be that to
apply all this very abstruse physics to aviation it will be necessary to accept that the theory is more important than this or that
interpretation of it. This is how the physical constants, which are now regarded as among the most solid of achievements in
modern physics, have become workable, and accepted. Certainly all normal instincts would support the Einstein series of
postulations, and if this is so it is a matter of conjecture where it will lead in the long term future of the electro-gravitic science.
Aviation Report 10 September 1954
ELECTRO-GRAVITIC PROPULSION SITUATION
Under the terms of Project Winterhaven the proposals to develop
electro-gravitics to the point of realizing a Mach 3 combat type disc were not far short of the extensive effort that was planned for
the Manhattan District.* Indeed the drive to develop the new prime mover is in some respects rather similar to the experiments
that led to the release of nuclear energy in the sense that both involve fantastic mathematical capacity and both are sciences so
new that other allied sciences cannot be of very much guide. In the past two years since the principle of motion by means of
massive-k was first demonstrated on a test rig, progress has been slow. But the indications are now that the Pentagon is ready to
sponsor a range of devices help further knowledge. In effect the new family of TVs would be on the same tremendous scope that
was envisaged by the X-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and D.558s that were all created for the purpose of destroying the sound barrier - which
they effectively did, but it is a process that is taking ten solid years of hard work to complete. (Now after 7 years the X-2 has yet
to start its tests and the X-3 is still in performance testing stage). Tentative targets now being set anticipate that the first disc
should be complete before 1960 and it would take the whole of the 'sixties to develop it properly, even though some combat things
might be available ten years from now. One thing seems certain at this stage, that the companies likely to dominate the science
will be those with the biggest
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The proposals, it should be added, were not accepted.
Page 26
computors to work out the ramifications of the basic theory. Douglas is easily the world's leader in computor capacity, followed by
Lockheed and Convair. The frame incidentally is indivisible from the engine". If there is to be any division of responsibility it would
be that the engine industry might become responsible for providing the electrostatic energy (by, it is thought, a kind of flame) and
the frame maker for the condenser assembly which is the core of the main structure. Aviation Report 12 October 1954
GRAVITICS STUDY WIDENING
The French are now understood to be pondering the most effective way of entering the field of electro-gravitic propulsion systems.
But not least of the difficulties is to know just where to begin. There are practically no patents so far that throw very much light on
the mathematics of the relation between electricity and gravity. There is, of course, a large number of patents on the general
subject of motion and force, and some of these may prove to have some application. There is, however, a series of working
postulations embodied in the original Project Winterhaven, but no real attempt has been made in the working papers to go into the
detailed engineering. All that had actually been achieved up to just under a year ago was a series of fairly accurate extrapolations
from the sketchy data that has so far been actually observed. The extrapolation of 50 mph to 1,800 mph, however, (which is what
the present hopes and aspirations amount to) is bound to be a rather vague exercise. This explains American private views that
nothing can be reasonably expected from the science yet awhile. Meanwhile, the NACA is active, and nearly all the Universities
are doing work that borders close to what is involved here, and something fruitful is likely to turn up before very long. Aviation
Report 19 October 1954
GRAVITICS STEPS
Specification writers seem to be still rather stumped to know what to ask for in the very hazy science of electro-gravitic
Page 27
propelled vehicles. They are at present faced with having to plan the first family of things - first of these is the most realistic type
of operational test rig, and second the first type of test vehicle. In turn this would lead to sponsoring of a combat disc. The
preliminary test rigs which gave only feeble propulsion have been somewhat improved, but of course the speeds reached so far
are only those more associated with what is attained on the roads rather than in the air. But propulsion is now known to be
possible, so it is a matter of feeding enough KVA into condensers with better k figures. 50,000 is a magic figure for the combat
saucer - it is this amount of KVA and this amount of k that can be translated into Mach 3 speeds. Meanwhile Glenn Martin now
feels ready to say in public that they are examining the unified field theory to see what can be done. It would probably be truer to
say that Martin and other companies are now looking for men who can make some kind of sense out of Einstein's equations.
There's nobody in the air industry at present with the faintest idea of what it is all about. Also, just as necessary, companies have
somehow to find administrators who know enough of the mathematics to be able to guess what kind of industrial investment is
likely to be necessary for the company to secure the most rewarding prime contracts in the new science. This again is not so easy
since much of the mathematics just cannot be translated into words. You either understand the figures, or you cannot ever have it
explained to you. This is rather new because even things like indeterminacy in quantum mechanics can be more or less put into
words. Perhaps the main thing for management to bear in mind in recruiting men is that essentially electro-gravitics is a branch
of wave technology and much of it starts with Planck's dimensions of action, energy and time, and some of this is among the
most firm and least controversial sections of modern atomic physics. Aviation Report 19 November 1954.
ELECTROGRAVITICS PUZZLE
Back in 1948 and 49, the public in the U.S. had a surprisingly clear idea of what a flying saucer should, or could, do. There has
never at any time been any realistic explanation of
Page 28
what propulsion agency could make it do those things, but its ability to move within its own gravitation field was presupposed from
its manoeuvrability. Yet all this was at least two years before electro-static energy was shown to produce propulsion. It is curious
that the public were so ahead of the empiricists on this occasion, and there are two possible explanations. One is that optical
illusions or atmospheric phenomena offered a preconceived idea of how the ultimate aviation device ought to work. The other
explanation might be that this was a recrudescence of Jung's theory of the Universal Mind which moves up and down in relation
to the capabilities of the highest intellects and this may be a case of it reaching a very high peak of perception. But for the air
industries to realize an electro-gravitic aircraft means a return to basic principles in nuclear physics, and a re-examination of
much in wave technology that has hitherto been taken for granted. Anything that goes any way towards proving the unified
field theory will have as great a bearing on electro-gravitics efforts as on the furtherance of nuclear power generally. But the
aircraft industry might as well face up to the fact that priorities will in the end be competing with the existing nuclear science
commitments. The fact that electro-gravitics has important applications other than for a weapon will however strengthen the
case for governments to get in on the work going on. Aviation Report 28 January 1955
MANAGEMENT NOTE FOR ELECTRO-GRAVITICS
The gas turbine engine produced two new companies in the U.S. engine field and they have, between them, at various times
offered the traditional primes rather formidable competition. Indeed GE at this moment has, in the view of some, taken the
Number Two position. In Britain no new firms managed to get a footing but one, Metro-Vick, might have done if it had put its
whole energies into the business. It is on the whole unfortunate for Britain that no bright newcomer has been able to screw up
competition in the engine field as English Electric have done in the airframe business.
Page 29
Unlike the turbine engine, electro-gravitics is not just a new propulsion system, it is a new mode of thought in aviation and
communications, and it is something that may become all-embracing. Theoretical studies of the science unfortunately have to
extend right down to the mathematics of the meson and there is no escape from that. But the relevant facts wrung from the
nature of the nuclear structure will have their impact on the propulsion system, the airframe and also its guidance. The airframe,
as such, would not exist, and what is now a complicated stressed structure becomes some convenient form of hard envelope.
New companies therefore who would like to see themselves as major defence prime contractors in ten or fifteen years time are
the ones most likely to stimulate development. Several typical companies in Britain and the U.S. come to mind - outfits like
AiResearch, Raytheon, Plessey in England, Rotax and others. But the companies have to face a decade of costly research into
theoretical physics and it means a great deal of trust. Companies are mostly overloaded already and they cannot afford it, but
when they sit down and think about the matter they can scarcely avoid the conclusion that they cannot afford not to be in at the
beginning. Aviation Report 8 February 1955
ELECTRO-GRAVITICS BREAKTHROUGHS
Lawrence Bell said last week he thought that the tempo of development leading to the use of nuclear fuels and anti-gravitational
vehicles (he meant presumably ones that create their own gravitational field independently of the earth's) would accelerate. He
added that the breakthroughs now feasible will advance their introduction ahead of the time it has taken to develop the turbojet
to its present pitch. Beyond the thermal barrier was a radiation barrier, and he might have added ozone poisoning and meteorite
hazards, and beyond that again a time barrier. Time however is not a single calculable entity and Einstein has taught that an
absolute barrier to aviation is the environmental barrier in which there are physical limits to any kind of movement from one point
in space-time continuum to another. Bell (the company not the man) have a reputation as
Page 30
experimentalists and are not so earthy as some of the other U.S. companies; so while this first judgement on progress with
electrogravitics is interesting, further word is awaited from the other major elements of the air business. Most of the companies
are now studying several forms of propulsion without heat engines though it is early days yet to determine which method will see
the light of day first. Procurement will open out because the capabilities of such aircraft are immeasurably greater than those
envisaged with any known form of engine. Aviation Report 15 July 1955
THERMONUCLEAR-ELECTROGRAVITICS INTERACTION
The point has been made that the most likely way of achieving the comparatively low fusion heat needed - l,000,000 degrees
provided it can be sustained (which it cannot be in fission for more than a microsecond or two of time) - is by use of a linear
accelerator. The concentration of energy that may be obtained when accelerators are rigged in certain ways make the production
of very high temperatures feasible but whether they could be concentrated enough to avoid a thermal heat problem remains to be
seen. It has also been suggested that linear accelerators would be the way to develop the high electrical energies needed for
creation of local gravitational systems. It is possible therefore to imagine that the central core of a future air vehicle might be a
linear accelerator which would create a local weightless state by use of electrostatic energy and turn heat into energy without
chemical processes for propulsion. Eventually - towards the end of this century - the linear accelerator itself would not be required
and a ground generating plant would transmit the necessary energy for both purposes by wave propagation. Aviation Report 30
August 1955
POINT ABOUT THERMONUCLEAR REACTION REACTORS
The 20 year estimate by the AEC last week that lies between present research frontiers and the fusion reactor
Page 31
probably refers to the time it will take to tap fusion heat. But it may be thought that rather than use the molecular and chemical
processes of twisting heat into thrust it would be more appropriate to use the now heat source in conjunction with some form of
nuclear thrust producer which would be in the form of electrostatic energy. The first two Boeing nuclearjet prototypes now under
way are being designed to take either molecular jets or nuclear jets in case the latter are held up for one reason or another. But
the change from molecular to direct nuclear thrust production in conjunction with the thermonuclear reactor is likely to make the
aircraft designed around the latter a totally different breed of cat. It is also expected to take longer than two decades, though
younger executives in trade might expect to live to see a prototype. Aviation Report 14 October 1955
ELECTROGRAVITICS FEASIBILITY
Opinion on the prospects of using electrostatic energy for propulsion, and eventually for creation of a local gravitational field
isolated from the earth's has naturally polarized into the two opposite extremes. There are those who say it is nonsense from
start to finish, and those who are satisfied from performance already physically manifest that it is possible and will produce air
vehicles with absolute capabilities and no moving parts. The feasibility of a Mach 3 fighter (the present aim in studies) is
dependent on a rather large k extrapolation, considering the pair of saucers that have physically demonstrated the principle only a
achieved a speed of some 30 fps. But, and this is important, they have attained a working velocity using very inefficient (even by
to-day's knowledge) form of condenser complex. These humble beginnings are surely as hopeful as Whittle's early postulations. It
was, by the way, largely due to the early references in Aviation Report that work is gathering momentum in the U.S. Similar
studies are beginning in France, and in England some men are on the job full time. Aviation Report 15 November 1955
Page 32
ELECTRO-GRAVITICS EFFORT WIDENING
Companies studying the implications of gravitics are said in a new statement, to include Glenn Martin, Convair, Sperry-Rand,
Sikorsky, Bell, Lear Inc. and Clark Electronics. Other companies who have previously evinced interest include Lockheed
Douglas and Hiller. The remainder are not disinterested, but have not given public support to the new science - which is
widening all the time. The approach in the U.S. is in a sense more ambitious than might have been expected. The logical approach,
which has been suggested by Aviation Studies, is to concentrate on improving the output of electrostatic rigs in existence that are
known to be able to provide thrust. The aim would be to concentrate on electrostatics for propulsion first and widen the practical
engineering to include establishment of local gravity forcelines, independent of those of the earth's, to provide unfettered vertical
movement as and when the mathematics develops.
However, the U.S. approach is rather to put money into fundamental theoretical physics of gravitation in an effort first to create
the local gravitation field. Working rigs would follow in the wake of the basic discoveries. Probably the correct course would be to
sponsor both approaches, and it is now time that the military stepped in with big funds. The trouble about the idealistic approach to
gravity is that the aircraft companies do not have the men to conduct such work. There is every expectation in any case that the
companies likely to find the answers lie outside the aviation field. These would emerge as the masters of aviation in its broadest
sense. The feeling is therefore that a company like A. T. & T. is most likely to be first in this field. This giant company (unknown
in the air and weapons field) has already revolutionized modern warfare with the development of the junction transistor and is
expected to find the final answers to absolute vehicle levitation. This therefore is where the bulk of the sponsoring money should
go. Aviation Report 9 December 1955
* * *
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APPENDIX II
ELECTROSTATIC PATENTS
Page 33
[This table has been retyped to fit this 60 column file format]
[The report has the titles at the end of each line, w/o ().]
[All other formatting and spelling is exact.]
ELECTROSTATIC MOTORS
(a) American Patents still in force.
2,413,391 Radio Corp. America Power Supply System 20-6-42/31-12-46
2,417,452 Ratheon Mfg. Co. Electrical System 17-1-44/18- 3-47
2,506,472 W.B. Smits Electrical Ignition Apparatus 3-7-46Holl/ 2- 5-50
2,545,354 G.E.C. Generator 16-3-50/13- 3-51(-Engl.P.676,953)
2,567,373 Radio Corp. America El'static Generator 10-6-49/11- 9-51
2,577,446 Chatham Electronics El'static Voltage Generator 5-8-50/ 4-12-51
2,578,908 US-Atomic Energy C. El'static Voltage Generator 26-5-47/18-12-51
2,588,513 Radio Corp. America El'static High-Voltage Generator 10-6-49/11- 3-52
2,610,994 Chatham Electronics El'static Voltage Generator 1-9-50/16- 9-52
2,662,191 P. Okey El'static Machine 31-7-52/8 -12-53
2,667,615 R.G. Brown El'static Generator 30-1-52/26- 1-54
2,671,177 Consolidated Engg. Corp El'static Charging App's 4-9-51/2 - 3-54
2,701,844 H.R. Wasson El'static Generator of Electricity 8-1250/ 8- 2-55
2,702,353 US-Navy Miniature Printed Circuit Electrostatic Generator 17-7-52/15- 2-55
(b) British patents still in force.
651,153 Metr.-Vickers Electr.Co. Voltage Transformation of
electrical energy
20-5-48/14- 3-51
651,295 Ch.F.Warthen sr. (U.S.A.) Electrostatic A.C. Generator
6-8-48/14- 3-51
731,774 "Licentia" El'static High-Voltage
Generator
19-9-52 & 21-11-52Gy/15- 6-55
(c) French patents still in force.
753,363 H. Chaumat Moteur electrostatique
utilisant l'energie cinetique
d'ions gazeux
19-7-32/13-10-33.
749,832 H. Chaumat Machine electrostatique a
excitation independante
24-1-32/29- 7-33
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[This table has been retyped to fit this 60 column file format]
[The report has the titles at the end of each line, w/o ().]
[All other formatting and spelling is exact.]
The following patents derive from P. Jolivet (Algiers), marked "A" and from N.J. Felici, E. Gartner (Centre National des
Recherches Scientifique - CRNS -) later also by R. Morel, M. Point etc. (S.A. des Machines Electrostatiques -SAMES-) and of
Societe' d'Appareils de Controle et d'Equipment des Moteurs -SACEM-), marked "G " (because the development was centred at
the University Grenoble.
Mark of Application England America France Germany (Title) Applicant Date
G 8-11-44) 993,017 14- 8-45) 637,434 2,486,140 56,027 860,649 (Electrostatic Influence Machine
G 17-11-44 639,653 2,523,688 993,052 815,667 (Electrostatic Influence Machine
A 28- 2-45 912,444 (Inducteurs de Machines el'static)
G 3- 3-45 643,660 2,519,554 995,442 882,586 (El'static Machines
A 8- 6-45 915,929 (Machines electrocstatiques a flasques)
A 16- 8-45 918,547 (Generatrice el'statique)
G 20- 9-45) 998,397 21- 9-45) 643,664 2,523,689 837,267 (Electrostatic Machines)
A 4- 2-46 923,593 (Generatrice el'statique)
G 17- 7-46 643,579 2,530,193 1002,031 811,595 (Generating Machines)
G 20- 2-47 671,033 2,590,168 (Ignition device)
G 21-3 -47 2,542,494 655,474 Re-23,560 944,574 860,650 (El'static Machines)
G 6- 6-47 645,916 2,522,106 948,409 810,042 (El'static Machines)
A 16- 6-47 947,921 (Generatrice el'statique)
G 16- 1-48 669,645 2,540,327 961,210 810,043 (El'static Machines)
G 21- 1-49 669,454 2,617,976 997,991 815,666 (El'static Machines)
G 7- 2-49 675,649 2,649,566 1010,924 870,575 (El'static Machines)
G 15- 4-49 693,914 2,604,502 1011,902 832,634 (Commutators for electrical machine)
G 9-11-49 680,178 2,656,502 1004,950 850,485 (El'static Generate)
G 9-10-50) 702,494 2,675,516 1030,623 20- 2-51) (El'static Generate)
G 29-11-50) 702,421 1028,596 20- 2-51) (El'static Generate)
G 21-11-51 719,687 1051,430 F10421 (El'static Machines)
G 20- 8-52 731,773 2,702,869 938,198 (El'static Machines)
G 6-11-52 745,489 (El'static Generator)
G 12- 2-53 745,783 (Rotating El'static Machines)
G 8- 1-52 715,010 2,685,654 1047,591 (Rotating El'static Machines producing a periodical discharge.)
Appl'n.No.
----------
G 27- 2-54 5726/55 (El'static Machines)
G 8- 3-54 6790/55 (El'static Machines)
G 28- 1-55 2748/56 (El'static Machines)
NOTE:- ALL THE LISTED PATENTS ARE STILL IN FORCE
