Swinburne Hedgehog Transformer, circa 1890
THF165945 / Swinburne Hedgehog Transformer, circa 1890
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Artifact Overview
In 1889, Scottish-born James Swinburne designed a transformer with a core of prickly iron wires. Swinburne claimed his open-circuit "hedgehog" transformer was more efficient than closed-circuit transformers for voltage regulation. Scientists and electrical engineers disputed his assertions and found his innovation was less efficient. Swinburne, however, remained a well-respected member of the engineering field.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Transformer
Date Made
circa 1890
Creators
Place of Creation
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
29.1333.251
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Rope
Wire
Color
Brown
Dimensions
Length: 20 in
Diameter: 7.5 in
Inscriptions
on plaque on end:
SWINBURNE & CO PATENT/ P1000 V130 PPS/ S 50 V50 A/ NO 215
Keywords |
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Related Content
SetElectric Stories - 2015-2017 IMLS Grant Project II
- 20 Artifacts
In 2015, The Henry Ford received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to digitize a selection of artifacts related to electric power generation and distribution. Many hidden stories came to light as staff cataloged, photographed, and conserved these objects. This expert set (the second in the series) presents just another small sampling of those artifacts and their stories preserved by The Henry Ford.