__Method of and Apparatus For Controlling Mechanisms of Moving Vessels or Vehicles
613809 11/8/1898__
Radio was originally patented here. Marconi patented his similar technology for communication use in 1903. Eventually the US Supreme Court acknowledged, partly on the basis of this patent, that Nikola Tesla was the first inventor of radio. The ruling was made in 1943, right after he died.
It is obvious from this patent and several other contexts that Nikola Tesla did not regard radio as a good communication medium. He often wrote about universal communication systems, but they were to be set up as parts of larger universal electrical transmission systems. That's why radio was relegated to being used for remote control.
Within the text of this patent is an unusual statement about using this technology to eliminate war:
"...the greatest value of my invention will result from its effect upon warfare and armaments, for by reason of its certain and unlimited destructiveness it will tend to bring about and maintain permanent peace among nations."
See Also