About The Lightning Guy

A while back, people would refer to me as "the lightning guy". It sorta stuck. Perhaps a brief explanation is in order...

From childhood, I was drawn to the scientific and the technical. While I didn't exactly live in them, I did spend a considerable amount of time exploring museums and discovery centers. I have a strong love for science-fiction literature. I am a bit of a 'Trekkie'. My education path steered me into the field of electronics where I became an electronics tech.

Well, OK, I also became a computer geek as well, and my latest interest is in computer graphic arts. (Which I am discovering I am pretty damn good at!)

One of my efforts:

©2004, Brent Turner

But an interesting thing happened back when I was around the age of 10. I discovered electricity. More specifically, I discovered that I was fascinated with electricity. To the point where my experiments outgrew flashlight bulbs and batteries and routinely required replacing the house fuses. (Much to my parent's frustrations...)

One thing however that has held my attention since high school is a device known as a Tesla coil. Invented by Nikola Tesla around the late 1890's, this item of electrical apparatus would become almost an obsession.

After years of experimentation, research, tinkering and frustration, I learned that this "simple device" is anything BUT simple. That is, if you really want it to work RIGHT... I was also VERY fortunate to meet the legendary Bill Wysock, who became my mentor as well as a friend.

learning the stunt circa 1992

Needless to say, I've managed to hone my skills and knowledge of this device to the point where I use this device to create genuine lightning and perform with it, and also to provide the equipment and technical advice to other performers.

Miss Electra @ Knott's Halloween Haunt

To date, appearances (either myself, or the equipment) have included Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Wild West Tech with David Carradine, several foreign media productions, corporate media shows, university lectures and an ongoing run with Knott's Berry Farm's annual Halloween Haunt.

The Lightning Guy @ Michigan Tech University

click on image for video clip

Plus, of course, the occasional, impromptu front yard exhibition...