Tesla’s Death Ray: A Murder Declassified, Thursdays from 8 March, 9pm, Discovery/HD (CH 250/251). Also available for 7 days in Catch Up > Channels > Discovery

If you think Nikola Tesla was just some bloke who had an electric car company named after him, then prepare to have your mind well and truly blown. This fascinating series looks into the mystery surrounding the suspicious death of the Serbian-American inventor and engineer, before attempting to uncover the location of his much sought-after research into the death ray – one of the world’s first weapons of mass destruction. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Among other things, the genius drew up plans for a death ray and an earthquake machine. These were bold and dangerous ideas that led him into conflict with big businesses and the authorities. Paranoid and fearful that his technology might end up the wrong hands, Tesla buried 80 trunks of his findings in secret locations around the world. Then he was found dead in his New York hotel room, aged 86.

The FBI swiftly ransacked his laboratory and last known addresses, seizing research and destroying memories. And after that? Nothing. For over 60 years, the items they recovered remained classified. Last year, however, things changed when a document that offered some clues as to the whereabouts of his research into weapons of mass destruction was derestricted. This release prompted a massive scientific treasure hunt that’s detailed in this extraordinary series, which sees military investigator Jack Murphy and Tesla historian Cameron Prince set off in pursuit of the great man’s findings.

Can they recover them before the information falls into the wrong hands? Cancel your Thursday night plans for the next five weeks to find out!