Electro-magnetic
type
In the
engraving, A represents a frictional electrical machine; B, a crank; C,
an electro-magnet; D, wire conductors; F, a trunnion; G, an armature;
E, a circuit closer; H, a pitman; I, an insulating substance; and J, a
spiral spring.
The device is
expected to operate as follows:
The frictional electrical machine is started, which magnetizes the temporary magnet and draws the armature toward it. This breaks the circuit at the point, I, E, which demagnetizes the temporary magnet and allows the spring, J, to again close the circuit. By this means a continued motion is expected to be kept up.
To those not familiar with the science of molecular physics this device may appear very plausible; a little reading, however, upon the subject of the correlation of forces will serve to show its utter fallacy.
The frictional electrical machine is started, which magnetizes the temporary magnet and draws the armature toward it. This breaks the circuit at the point, I, E, which demagnetizes the temporary magnet and allows the spring, J, to again close the circuit. By this means a continued motion is expected to be kept up.
To those not familiar with the science of molecular physics this device may appear very plausible; a little reading, however, upon the subject of the correlation of forces will serve to show its utter fallacy.
(Subsection 969, from p.389)
From: Gardner D. Hiscox, M.E., Mechanical Appliances and Novelties of Construction (1927), Norman W. Henley Publ. Co.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (1987) -- Carl Sagan
