Westinghouse “Alternating Current Motor” Fan – Dec. 26, 1893
I was junk shopping, and I saw a fan with a very large motor on it out of the corner of my eye. The motor was excessively large for the size of the fan blades. Also, the blade guard is thick and sturdy and appears to be solid brass. The fan weighs just slightly over 22 pounds! Over the years, I have learned that engineers strive to use the minimum amount of resources to create a product. This need to minimize materials is essential to reduce manufacturing costs, and I believe, is a point of pride. So one indication that something is an early piece of technology is usually by the oversized parts. Next, looking at the label, the fan is a Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, “Alternating Current Motor”, style number 60677, Patended December 3, 1889, and December 26, 1893. Both of these dates are exciting for two reasons.
First, 1889 is exciting because Westinghouse obtained exclusive rights to Nikola Tesla’s patents for a polyphase system of alternating current and induction motors in 1888. WOW. The idea that the fan motor could be based on the early works of Tesla’s designs at Westinghouse is exciting.
Next, the World’s Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair: Columbian Exposition, Chicago World’s Fair) was going on from May 1, 1893, to October 30, 1893. So the second patent date of December 26, 1893, really has no relevance other than I have a stereoscope card that shows the entrance to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. Tesla Polyphase System marquee. So it just further ties the fan to the collective genius of George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla (See below for pictures).
Obviously, the next step is to get this great piece of history running again, so this story is a work in progress. But until then, here are some poorly shot photos.
Links:
- Tesla Society
- World’s Columbian Exposition (the official shortened name for the World’s Fair: Columbian Exposition,[1] also known as the Chicago World’s Fair)
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation [Science and Invention] Historical Marker
