Jenna McPherson

Dr. Sweigart

Engineering Concepts

24 October 2017

Individual/Organizational

Contribution Content

The Maglev train has been a work in progress since the mid 1900s. This is one invention

that was never invented by a single person. Rather, many people worked together through the
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years to conceptualize, develop, and improve upon this one idea: a transit system utilizing

magnetic levitation. In fact, it is arguable that this invention has never been finished as people

are currently creating new versions of the magnetically levitated transit system. Although this

invention can not be traced back to a single point in history, one contributor to the maglev

system is Eric Laithwaite.

Eric Laithwaite contributed to the field of magnetic levitation by creating a practical

linear induction motor and applying it to magnetic levitation. He was born in Atherton,

Lancashire on June 14th in 1921. His father was a farmer, but he had higher ambitions and

joined the Royal Air Force. After that, he went to the University of Manchester from 1946-1950

and earned both Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees. After graduating, he decided to stay

and work at the same school and rose in the ranks from an Assistant Lecturer to a Senior

Lecturer between 1950 and 1964. He then left the University of Manchester to work as Professor

of Heavy Electrical Engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology from 1964 to

1986. He took on the additional title of Professor at the Royal Institution from 1967 to 1976. He

married his wife, Sheila Goodie, in 1951 and together they had two sons and two daughters.

Unfortunately, Professor Laithwaite died on the 27th of November in 1997. However, his

research lives on. As he did his research, he recorded his findings both on paper and on camera,

both of which have influenced modern-day technology.

Professor Laithwaites contribution to the maglev train consisted of applying his linear

induction motor to the idea of magnetic levitation. At the time, he called this concept a magnetic

river, seeing it as a method of propulsion that would push things down a path, much like a river,

except using magnetic currents instead of those in water. He developed this idea while working

at the Royal Institution and the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London. He
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proposed this idea in 1975. One video that he created during this time features him

demonstrating how the properties of magnets allow them to levitate and propell other magnets

along a set course. During the same video, he shows viewers how difficult it is to stabilize such a

path, as a magnet is more likely to be pushed aside by another magnet with the same polarity that

it is to maintain a position over that magnet. His proposed solution is to suspend objects using

electromagnets with multiple coils of wire in stead of only one in order to better balance the

suspended object.

The reason that Professor Laithwaite developed this product was to minimize the

maintenance cost of a transit system by including few moving parts that would require repair. He

also wished to develop the best propulsion system possible. However, he had to face many

challenges. His project to test the magnetic levitation system was funded by the government.

Professor Laithwaite used this funding to create a test track for the maglev, but just as this track

was finished, the British government revoked his funding. This made it challenging for him to

continue his research and development of this system. He later continued this project by

developing a test track for a private company using his linear motor and magnetic levitation to

allow a vehicle to move at precise velocities. Professor Laithwaite worked on this project on the

side as he worked full time as a professor. It can be assumed that Professor Laithwaite made

money off of his additions to the maglev train and linear induction motor because there is no

evidence present that refutes this fact.

Many events occurred as a result of Professor Eric Laithwaites contributions to the field

of magnetic levitation. Most of these events occurred in Japan, causing the magnetic levitation

system to become the most common and popular there. In 1977, the Japanese opened a testing

center for maglev equipment. This choice proved beneficial when only two years later, in 1979,
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Japan created a maglev train that could reach speeds of up to 321 miles per hour without a

passenger. This set a new world record for the time. Later, in 1997, they set the the same record

at 342 miles per hour. In 1999, they set the record yet again at 343 miles per hour. Finally, in

2003, Japan set the standing world record at 361 miles per hour with a manned vehicle.. Japan

also set a record when the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line was able to cover a distance of 1,787

miles in one day. All in all, even though early maglev developments were made by scientists in

Europe, such as by Eric Laithwaite, later developments and recent records have been made by

scientists in Japan. Because of this, Japan holds many records for their magnetic levitation

systems and are well known for their usage of maglev trains.

One unusual story about Professor Laithwaite is about his presentation in front of the

Royal Institution. This organization is very formal, serious, and prestigious. Professor Laithwaite

decided to speak about gyroscopes for this presentation due to his interest in the topic.. Because

of this, he decided to give his discourse on these devices. Although gyroscopes are a fascinating

and complex topic, the presentation that he gave on them reportedly questioned the very

foundations of science. According to various sources, by speaking about rotational motion

changing the weight of objects and about perpetual motion devices, Eric Laithwaite offended the

Royal Institution. This caused his discourse to be the only one given to this society in history

never to be published.

Works Cited

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI_HFnNTfyU

2. http://www.rense.com/general42/genius.htm
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3. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-professor-eric-laithwaite-

1288502.html

4. https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/imedia/content/view/433/professor-eric-laithwaite-

demonstrates-the-magnetic-river

5. http://www.usjmaglev.com/usjmaglev/Timeline.html