'Tesla's lost prototype' induction motor

Introduction and call to action

Carmen Miller is asking the international community to challenge the provenance and authenticity of potentially the first induction motor prototype made by Tesla that she acquired and that she wishes will help the community deliver the next generation of energy technology.

Also, check out the Matsumoto Kickstarter which is LIVE till 24.12.24 Thanks to all those who have pledged their support.

Open questions right now are:

1. Why is the cotton (appropriate for the time) and another type of insulation present? Is the latter a ‘repair’ post initial build?

2. What are the handles and cross-supports made from on the switches? Since Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic was not invented by Hendrik Baekeland until 1907, it should not be that. Is it some ceramic or wood?

List your finding and critical considerations with references below.

Nikola Tesla's personal exhibit at the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition Fair

Thanks to MFMP YouTube follower ‘wbeaty’ for reference to this image. Since the fair was held May 1, 1893 – Oct 30, 1893, the stand would have been erected exactly 5 years after the patent date. According to ‘wbeaty’, “all those prototypes but one (the disk-motor labeled "C,") were lost in the 1895 NYC laboratory fire”.

Source

Source

I have taken the liberty of focussing on part of the photo below in comparison to the motor we are investigating

1. Similar construction and aspect ratio of wooden base

2. As per my experience with other devices of this period, cotton thread insulation (the other insulation I suspect is a later attempt at repair)

3. Similar brass fittings?

4. Crude use of brown paper underneath the windings that appear to be of a similar gauge

5. Lack of bearing and centre hole

Ryan Hopkins’ drawings

Ryan did some detail sketches of the device and is planning to produce some SolidWorks files that we intend to post here alongside other formats for people to play with. Below are the drawings - thanks Ryan!