Charles Grafton Page

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Charles Grafton Page (January 25, 1812 – May 5, 1868) was an American physicist and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of electromagnetism and electric motors. He is best known for his work on the Page motor, an early form of the electric motor.

Early Life and Education

Charles Grafton Page was born in Salem, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University, where he studied medicine and graduated with a degree in 1836. Despite his medical training, Page's interests were primarily in the field of physics and electrical engineering.

Career and Inventions

After completing his education, Page began working as a physician but soon shifted his focus to scientific research. He was particularly interested in the applications of electromagnetism and began experimenting with various electrical devices.

Page Motor

One of Page's most notable inventions was the Page motor, an early type of electric motor that utilized electromagnetic principles to convert electrical energy into mechanical motion. This invention was a significant step forward in the development of electric motors and influenced later designs.

Induction Coil

Page also made advancements in the design of the induction coil, a device used to generate high-voltage pulses from a low-voltage direct current (DC) supply. His improvements to the induction coil were widely adopted and used in various scientific and industrial applications.

Later Life and Legacy

In addition to his work as an inventor, Page held several patents for his electrical devices. He continued to experiment and innovate until his death in 1868. Page's contributions to the field of electromagnetism and electric motors have had a lasting impact on the development of modern electrical engineering.

See Also

• Electromagnetism
• Electric motor
• Induction coil
• Harvard University
• Salem, Massachusetts