Griffith Observatory Tesla Coil: A High-Voltage 1930s Spectacle

Why It Stands Out

The history of this specific coil is as fascinating as its visual output. It didn't start its life as a museum piece; instead, it was the personal equipment of Dr.

Fredrick Finch Strong. A physician and theosophist, Strong was deeply influenced by Nikola Tesla’s late 19th-century research into alternating currents.

He became convinced that high-frequency electricity could be used for electrotherapeutics, believing that high-voltage currents could positively influence a patient's internal vibrations. He even authored a text on the subject in 1908 titled High Frequency Currents.

Strong eventually donated the essential parts of his apparatus to the City of Los Angeles, and the coil was reconstructed for the observatory’s opening era. It has been a permanent fixture here since 1937.

While Nikola Tesla’s grandest ambition was to transmit electricity through the air to power the entire world, this particular machine has a much more focused job: it uses its massive voltage to light up a simple neon sign. Even so, the sensory experience of the zapping sounds and the brilliant arcs of light remains a highlight of the facility’s physical science wing.

Before You Go

Viewing the Tesla coil is free and included with general admission to the observatory grounds. The staff typically runs the demonstration once every hour, usually right on the hour, though these times are subject to change.

The coil is housed in a specially designed alcove that allows for clear visibility while maintaining safety. Because the demonstrations are brief and loud, it is best to arrive at the exhibit a few minutes early to secure a good vantage point before the discharge begins.