Previous Q & A | Next Q & A | Questions | Table of Contents 

I had read that upon Tesla's death that the U.S. government stormed his residence and lab seizing all of his note's and papers, this being done without a proper warrant.  Is this true to your knowledge? and if so has anything been done to recover the property?

From all accounts, the actions taken following Dr. Tesla's death on January 7, 1943 were conducted in an orderly and respectful fashion. According to those present at the time, Tesla's papers and other personal possessions were placed under the charge of the Office of Alien Property which issued a certificate of ownership to his nephew Sava Kosanovich. It being wartime and considering Tesla's involvement in remote detection and advanced weapons development, it is believed the materials were thoroughly inspected for items that might have been important to national defense. The estate was consolidated at a Manhattan storage facility and in 1952 it was shipped off to Yugoslavia.  

A report by Charlotte Muzar on the disposition of Tesla's papers and personal effects. 

See Tesla—Man Out of Time, pp. 258-280, and Wizard—The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla, pp. 436-462 for additional words about the circumstances surrounding Tesla's death and the handling of his estate. 

   Top | Previous  Q & A | Next Q & A | Questions