History of MagLev
Since the 1800s, trains have played an improtant role in our economy. We have seen them grow from a few inneficient steam engines to powerful diesel engines found all over the US and other parts of the world. So, how did the idea of magnetic levitation (MagLev) become reality?
-The year 1750 was when we were first able to understand magnets and how they work. This work was that of John Mitchell, who found that magnets repel each other when the same pole of each magnet was put together.
-The first time magnets were discussed for use in transportation was in the early 1900s. Emile Bachelet of France and Frank Goddard talked about magnetically levitated vehicles that could be used fro high speed travel, but no plan was ever realized.
-Only 20 years later the technology for the MagLev train was developed by Hermann Kemper of Germany, using the attractive ends of magnets in a process known as Electromagnetic Suspension. However, he had no practial system for applying the technology to a high speed train and the first working train wouldnt be developed for another 60 years!
-In 1934 Hermann Kemper was given a patent for the magnetic levitation of trains.
-In 1965 MagLev development began in the US, and only one year after a working system was developed by James Powell and Gordon Danby. Their system is used today in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
-The first successful levitated train run occured in 1972
-In 1977 a MagLev test track was opened in Japan
-The year 1984 had seen the fisrt operational MagLev train in Birmingham, England. It ws used to shuttle passengers between their main train station and the airport.
-Development began in 1990 for the Yamanashi track in Japan and was opened just 6 years later!
-The year 1750 was when we were first able to understand magnets and how they work. This work was that of John Mitchell, who found that magnets repel each other when the same pole of each magnet was put together.
-The first time magnets were discussed for use in transportation was in the early 1900s. Emile Bachelet of France and Frank Goddard talked about magnetically levitated vehicles that could be used fro high speed travel, but no plan was ever realized.
-Only 20 years later the technology for the MagLev train was developed by Hermann Kemper of Germany, using the attractive ends of magnets in a process known as Electromagnetic Suspension. However, he had no practial system for applying the technology to a high speed train and the first working train wouldnt be developed for another 60 years!
-In 1934 Hermann Kemper was given a patent for the magnetic levitation of trains.
-In 1965 MagLev development began in the US, and only one year after a working system was developed by James Powell and Gordon Danby. Their system is used today in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
-The first successful levitated train run occured in 1972
-In 1977 a MagLev test track was opened in Japan
-The year 1984 had seen the fisrt operational MagLev train in Birmingham, England. It ws used to shuttle passengers between their main train station and the airport.
-Development began in 1990 for the Yamanashi track in Japan and was opened just 6 years later!