MOTOR NOTES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 233, 19 April 1928, Page 7

MOTOR NOTES.

A NEW MOTOR-CAR.

INDEFINITE RUNNING. By Electric Magnetism. Engineering interests in America are agog over the successful trial of the new type of motor powered by electric magnetism, the invention of Lester Hendershot, says a Sydney exchange. Some American authorities predict that it will revolutionise power for aeroplanes and automobiles. Tests suggested that it may turn almost indefinitely, for, on test blocks, it turned 1800 revolutions to the minute, and it is stated that it will run for 2000 hours at this rate before it is necessary to re-charge the magnet centre. Hendershot claims that his motor has no moving parts, and cannot wear out. A motor large enough to supply 45 horse power, he says, can be manufactured for £2 10s, and he forsees the day when light, heat and power will be supplied by simply turning a lever. Hendershot declined to reveal the secret of his so-called magnet box. Several of the country’s leading mechanicians were disposed to laugh to-day at Hendershot’s claims, which received a great advertisement through Lindbergh’s association with him in the tests, and because of the fact that one official of the Guggenheim Foundation is taking a directorship in his company.

Wall street took sufficient notice o“ the story of the new motor to sell off aeroplane manufacture stocks in huge (blocks at new record low prices. Mr. William Stout, aeroplane manufacturer, said that the recent demonstration was very impressive and actually uncanny. He said the chief characteristic of the motor is an entirely new method of winding the armature drawing energy direct from electric currents. “ Hendershot,” he said, “ appears to have tapped an hitherto unused wave of current from the earth. The radio tube is the best simile to describe its workings. The magnet picks up earth currents as it runs, as a radio tube picks up sound waves. “ I think I could have detected fraud if there was any in this demonstration,” he said. “ The question in my mind is whether the range of current discovered is powerful enough to run a large horse-power engine. “ If this principle is proved a success, it means practically the end of gasoline and steam engines.” Officials at the Washington Commerce Department of Aviation declared that they have no doubt that Hendershot had found a method of obtaining convertible energy from terrestrial magnetism, whereby power could be supplied for a long period without fuel.

But whether the process could be carried out on a large scale was another matter, and they declined to express an opinion. The invention was still in the experimental stages. It is stated officially that reputable electrical engineers have reported to the Government that the small-sized Hendershot motor operates successfully. When the cable was referred to Professor Vonwiller, of the Sydney University, he said that he had heard nothing of any development such as that mentioned. “ Of course,” he said, “ it is quite possible and if it is true it is a most important invention. But such statements as these suggest a development so revolutionary that they need to be taken with the utmost caution until we hear something more definite.”