Pen Ponds, Richmond Park: The Death Ray

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Hundreds of Londoners were killed by German bombs during World War One. As the capital came under attack from Zeppelins the government offered a reward of £25,000 to anyone who could come up with an effective weapon against the threat from the air. Inventor Harry Grindell Matthews came up with what he thought would be the best defence against Zeppelins – an electric light ray, or “Death Ray” as it became known in the press. The Death Ray was tested in a secret experiment on Pen Ponds, in Richmond Park, in December 1915. Using a remote-controlled boat Grindell Matthews was able to detonate mines at a distance. The inventor was awarded the £25,000 but the Death Ray was never formally adopted. Location: Pen Ponds, Richmond Park, London TW10