A study of the history and invention of the electric motor to understand the fundamentals of the electric motor. Thomas Davenport was an early 19th century inventor. He is credited with patenting the first practical direct current electric motor. Looking into Davenport’s story provides the reader with insight into the motor's first days of infancy, and a basic understanding of DC motor fundamentals. This paper contains three sections to explain DC electric motors. The first describes the historical context for the electric motor and Davenport. The second section elaborates on the physics of the motor: why does the motor rotate when connected to power? The final section of the paper covers efforts taken to recreate the Davenport Patent Model Electric Motor and permanent magnets.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Hopkins, William

Subject

• Industry
• Project-Based Learning
• Learning
• Innovation

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031822-141413
• 52056

Keyword

• Motor
• Magnetism
• Electricity
• Physics
• Davenport
• History

Advisor

• Goulet, John A.

Year

• 2022

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Date created

• 2022-03-18

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright