The April 18, 1924 issue of Autocar magazine seemed like any other issue at first glance. It featured a colorful painting advertising Wolseley’s new Fourteen touring car, a plea for drivers to be careful during the Easter holiday traffic, and a road test of a new Vauxhall four-cylinder saloon. However, it also contained a surprising and intriguing article about the invention of an “invisible death ray.”
According to the article, a British electric engineer named Harry Grindell Matthews had achieved the uncanny feat of stopping an internal combustion engine without any visible agency. The article described a demonstration where an engine was started and allowed to run at a good speed. Matthews then activated his invention from a distance of at least 45ft, causing the engine to immediately cease firing and slow down. Just before it stopped completely, Matthews switched off the power, and the engine started firing again and rapidly picked up speed.
The article explained that Matthews used electrical energy at extremely high tension, transmitted through a projected ray that acted as a conductor. The nature of the ray was unknown, and insulating the engine with materials like thick glass or metal did not affect its control. The article speculated on the future possibilities of such a weapon, suggesting that it could potentially revolutionize warfare.
While Matthews’ invention of the death ray seemed extraordinary, there were doubts about its authenticity. Many others had claimed to invent similar devices, leading some to believe that Matthews was a clever con man. However, Matthews had a track record of inventing useful things. He had previously tested a system of wireless message transmission between vehicles and aircraft and had received government contracts for remote control ship technology during World War I. He also played a role in pioneering talking movies with Warner Bros.
Matthews’ refusal to explain how his death ray worked and his failure to convince government officials with his demonstration raised further suspicions. He eventually fled to France to sell his invention, but his departure was met with an injunction preventing the sale. He later returned to the UK and allowed British Pathé to film his death ray igniting gunpowder, but he refused other offers to demonstrate it.
In his later years, Matthews continued to work on questionable inventions, such as a musical instrument that used rays of light, a sky projector, aerial mines, and a submarine detection system. He passed away in 1941, leaving behind a legacy of mystery and speculation. His biographer believes that Matthews was a genius ahead of his time, but the truth may never be fully known.
In conclusion, the story of Harry Grindell Matthews and his invention of the invisible death ray is a fascinating and enigmatic tale. Whether Matthews was a genius or a con man, his story highlights the allure and skepticism surrounding extraordinary inventions. It also serves as a reminder of the boundless possibilities and mysteries of scientific innovation.