DEATH DEALING RAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10092, 17 April 1924, Page 5

DEATH DEALING RAY.

THE MATTHEWS' INVENTION

PRANCE CLAIMS PRIORITY

(Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON. Anril 16.

Mr Grindell Matthews, well known as the inventor of a method of destroying Zeppelins, gave a demonstration -in London of his electric ray, which is a conductor of energy capable of transmitting power enough to kill an animal or a man, and to stop an aeroplane or motor engine, or other machinery.

Mr Matthews explained that the ray, which is an invisible light wave, may be converted into an engine of destruction whereby an army could be wiped out in a few seconds, but he hopes this power will make war impossible. The Matthews ray has aroused much interest in France, where some inventors claim" that it has been discovered already. M. Charbonneau, an astronomer and physicist, says that in 1918 he proposed to the French Government that it should utilise an electricwave whereby enemy trenches could be made untenable at a distance of 50 metres, as the wave would explode their mines, grenades, and cartridges.