Tesla was researching and developing a system and apparatus for wireless transfer of electricity using powerful high-frequency oscillators. In his New York laboratory, at Houston Street, he achieved voltages in the range of 4 million volts and created sparks of about 5 meters in length. In order to conduct further research, it was necessary to construct a powerful transmitter – a high-power oscillator capable of generating highfrequency currents of extremely high voltages.

As the experiments with high-voltage currents were growing exceedingly dangerous for city conditions, Tesla continued his work in a new laboratory built on the Pikes Peak plateau in the vicinity of Colorado Springs, Colorado from May 1899 to January 1900.