Electric motor
Motor eléctrico
- Date
- 1821-1834 · confidence high
- Place
- London (Royal Institution), England, United Kingdom
- Credited to
- Michael Faraday (electromagnetic rotation, 1821); Moritz von Jacobi (practical motor, St Petersburg, 1834)
- People
- 👤 Michael Faraday1791–1867👤 Moritz von Jacobi1801–1874
- Field
- Matter & energy
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
Faraday demonstrated the continuous rotation of a conductor around a magnet, the first conversion of electricity into motion. In 1834 Jacobi built the first rotating motor with useful power, which in 1838 propelled a boat on the Neva.
Priority is disputed between Faraday (principle), Jacobi (practical motor), Thomas Davenport (US patent 1837, Vermont) and William Sturgeon (commutator, 1832).
What it led to
- Electric traction and tramways (1880s)
- Industrial electrification and motors in every machine (20th century)
- The concept of the electromagnetic field
Built on
Made possible
- Jedlik's electromagnetic self-rotor1827-1828
- Electric generator and self-excited dynamo1832-1867
- Jacobi's electric boat1838-1839
- Electric elevator1880–1889
- Electric tram (streetcar)1881–1888
- Electric drill1889
- Vacuum cleaner1901–1908
- Electric self-starter1911–1912
- Gyrocompass and autopilot1908–1914
- Electric typewriter1902–1935
- Brushless DC motor1962
- Fan and household appliances