A 1/6 scale model of Charles Page's 1853 electro-locomotive. No extant maker's markings. Four solenoids of heavy wires are set horizontally, with a sliding framework carrying the armature to and fro from the coils. A lever mechanism operates a small flywheel. Double-axis reciprocating engine. Exhibited by the B&O Railroad at the Atlanta Exposition.
A 23 November 1896 letter from Charles Selden, Superintendent of Telegraph, B&O Railroad stated in part: "The models ... were gotten up under the supervision of Major J. G. Pangborn to be shown at, I think, the first New Orleans Exposition sometime between 1884 and 1886, .... I do not know where they got the model of the Page electric motor, but I think it was made up from written descriptions. They are probably as near correct as could be gotten under the circumstances." Reference: W. James King, Development of Electrical Technology in the 19th Century, page 270.
Curator George C. Maynard noted: Page electric motor [model]. Invented and used by Charles Grafton Page in 1850. Operated by a chemical battery; used In running a car for several miles out of Washington on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad track, which then terminated at the corner of 2nd & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D. C.
Three-piece armature affixed to center shaft. Four flat electro-magnets painted red fastened in circular frame; central revolving armature with three iron plates; commutator at end. Unit has six brushes affixed to binding posts. Reference: US Patent 126628, Improvement in Electro-Magnetic Engines, issued 14 May 1872 to Moses G. Farmer. Claim: an improved manner of constructing an electromagnetic engine so as to prevent formation of induction sparks. This is accomplished by connecting the extremities of an electromagnet helix just before the circulating galvanic current is interrupted.
Tesla 2-phase motor marked "M-74". Frame has "M-74" painted on it. Case has radial heat-dissipating fins. Connection is made through two binding posts on base. This motor is identical to catalog number 311854, and is also known as the Westinghouse Model A Induction Motor, or Tesla Motor of 1888. This was the first commercial AC motor.
An electro-dynamic rotation motor designed by Nikola Tesla, without commutator or contact brushes. A series of field magnets are built of laminated sheet iron and wound with two sets of coils. The armature core is of the Siemens drum type, wound with comparatively few turns of wire. Two AC currents are sent through the field at the same time, one a 1/4 phase behind the other. References: Electrical World vol. 12, 1888, page 221-222; Westinghouse Engineer, Jan 1950, page 72.
Westinghouse 2-phase induction motor marked "M-33". Metal plate reads: "The Westinghouse Electric Co. Pittsburgh, 237". Case has radial fins for heat dissipation. Connection is made through two binding posts on the base. This motor is also known as the Westinghouse Model A Induction Motor or the Tesla Motor of 1888. An electrodynamic rotation motor designed by Nikola Tesla, without commutator or contact brushes.
A series of field magnets are built of laminated sheet iron and wound with two sets of coils. The armature core is of the Siemens drum type wound with comparatively few turns of wire. Two alternating currents are sent through the field at the same time, one a 1/4 phase behind the other. References: Electrical World, vol. 12, 27 October 1888, pages 221-223. Westinghouse Engineer, January 1950, page 72.
A patent model of a direct current motor. US Patent # 30272, Electric Engine, issued 2 October 1860 to Maurice Vergnes. The spokes in the wheel of this motor are electromagnets activated by an electric current, the polarity of which is changed by means of a commutator. The magnets exert an attractive force as they approach the magnetic field of the flat energized coil surrounding the wheel, and a repellent force as they pass. Patent claim: The arrangement of a series of electromagnets, disposed as the radii of a wheel on a common center, and revolving within stationary helices so that the revolving magnets have the same polarization when passing through one end of the helices. Description: Reference: Martin and Wetzler, The Electric Motor, page 23.
Nameplates read: "Edison General Electric Co. / Schenectady Works / 6 Kilo Watt / Voltage 125 No. 1035"; and "Edison System / Patented / Dec. 23, 1879. Aug. 22, 1882 / Sept. 19, 1882, Oct. 10, 1882." A 6 kilowatt dc motor with two circular field magnets with curved pole pieces arranged vertically. The armature rotates below the field magnet axis, and contains the common segmented commutator with carbon brushes and adjustable rocker arm. Brushes are close-spaced carbon type with four clamper-type holders. One clamp appears to be bent. A rocker arm switch assembly with associated field and commutator voltage terminals mounted on top a wooden crosspiece. Armature insulation worn. Reference: Instructions for Installing and Operating Bi-Polar Generators for Incandescent Lighting (Schenectady: General Electric Co.,1894). The generator's construction appears identical to the motor's. See picture of factoryproducing these machines in J. W. Hammond, Men and Volts., page 166.
Double-pole single-throw switch on top is stamped "30A A.C. or D.C. T.N.B. Copper Co., Taunton, Mass." Flywheel has handle for manual use. Armature coil 10" outside diameter, four coils mounted around armature. Handle on flywheel suggests some use involving running the armature as a generator.
Motor appears similar to Waterhouse Electric Co. unit advertised in Electrical World, Dec. 3, 1887, page XVII.
Model to accompany US patent number 132, "Electric Motor, issued to Thomas Davenport, 25 February 1837. This is the first US patent issued for an electric motor. No extant markings. The patent claims: "Applying magnetic and electromagnetic power as a moving principle for machinery in the manner above described, or in any other substantially the same in principle". Wooden base, 9 by 14 in., supported on four curved legs, carrying a circular frame, in which there are four rough electro-magnets, painted red, made to revolve within a ring of steel magnets. The steel magnets in the ring are crescent-shaped can be lifted out of the frame. Reference: W. James King, Development of Electrical Technology in the 19th Century (Smithsonian Institution, 1962), 264.
This model was made by Vermont blacksmith Thomas Davenport (1802-1851) as a replacement for his original patent model. The original was destroyed in the 1836 fire at the US Patent Office. Davenport may have incorporated improvements in this model that are not reflected in the patent drawings.
Old exhibit label reads: "Original Colton Electric Railway Motor, 1846. Made and used by Dr. Gardner Q. Colton, an American physician and lecturer on electrical phenomena. This motor consists of two magnets, so arranged that the metal bears placed on the ends of the rocking arm are attracted as the magnets are alternately energized, imparting a reciprocal motion to the arm. This motion is transmitted through a driving rod to a wheel geared to the driving wheels of the chassis."
Rewiring of chassis appears to have been done with modern solid insulation wire. No extant maker's markings. Pamphlet: "The First Electric Engine Ever Driven On a Track by Electricity;" T. C. Martin, "The Electric Railway Work of Dr. Colton in 1847....The First Use of Track as Circuit," Electrical Engineer Vol. 16., July 19, 1893.
Nameplate reads: "Manufactured by / Davis & Horn / Boston." This is a balance beam electromagnetic engine with reciprocating armatures. Two curved horseshoe type magnets are wound with stiff wire, the armatures are connected by brass arms above the wooden holding plate. The magnet polarity is changed by a cut-off on the shaft of the balance wheel. Electrical connections are made under the baseboard. A small engine of this type was used to drill steel plates for gas burners. This is a very early instance of a practical application for motors. Reference: American Journal of Science, 1838, vol 35, pages 263-265.
The original unit was made by Antonio Pancinotti in 1861. The date this reproduction was made is unknown, but believed to be in the first half of the twentieth century.
An electric motor was one of the critical components needed to make an electrical power system based on alternating current. Electrical inventor Nikola Tesla developed a revolutionary motor based on electromagnetic induction that featured rotating magnetic fields to drive the central armature. Engineers working for George Westinghouse refined Tesla’s concept and introduced this model A two-phase motor in 1888. The armature core is of the Siemens drum-type, a design intended to minimize the number of wire windings.
Westinghouse 2-phase induction motor marked "M-68". Metal plate reads: " The Westinghouse Electric Co. Pittsburgh, 271". Case has radial fins for heat dissipation. Connection is made through two binding posts on the base. An electrodynamic rotation motor designed by Nikola Tesla, without commutator or contact brushes. A series of field magnets are built of laminated sheet iron and wound with two sets of coils. Two alternating currents are sent through the field at the same time, one a 1/4 phase behind the other. References: Electrical World, vol. 12, 27 October 1888, pages 221-223. Westinghouse Engineer, January 1950, page 72.
