Fantastic Speeds Obtained By Stationary Objects

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 20, 15 November 1948, Page 7

Fantastic Speeds Obtained By Stationary Objects

What is the highest speed ever attained by a “stationary” object? Ordinary electric motors can revolve at 5000 revolutions per minute, while the rotors of a jet-pro-pulsion unit turn at 50,000 r.p.m. Small model rotors have revolved at 100,000 r.p.m., but it remained for special machinery to push the limit yet higher. (

Within the past few months, at a British Government research laboratory, a machine has been tested which the “rotor” revolves at 1,000,000 r.p.m. The rotor is in the form of a small ball or pellet, and it is supported on magnetic fields instead of having material support. The same magnetic fields are used to speed it up to the fantastic rate it attains in its circular orbit, which is in a vacuum. The speed corresponds to a longitudinal speed of about 500 m.p.h., although the actual orbit is very small. Gyroscopes can continue to turn for a minute or two on their own, but the losses in air resistance anf friction soon bring them to a stop. But so nicely balanced is the ball in this new machine that it can continue to revolve for a week after the power is cut off..

And what is the use to which this high-speed ball is to be put? Believe it or not, the high-speed ball is to be used to test paint!