Searchlight beams to ionize atmospheric air streams

Hipothesis of transmitting high tension currents over a narrow beam of radiant energy ionizing the air and rendering it, in measure, conductive, but according to Tesla: "the results of tests did not justify the hope of important practical applications in large distance".

US1,309,031 - Aerial conductor for wireless signaling and other pruposes.

Means for long conductors of electricity forming part of an electric circuit and electrically connecting said ionized beam to an electric circuit. Hettinger 1917.