Thomas Davenport

Inventor

Birthday July 9, 1802

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Willamstown, VT

DEATH DATE Jul 6, 1851 (48)

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About

Remembered for building the first direct current electric motor, this nineteenth-century blacksmith carried out electromagnetic work that would prove instrumental to the later development of electric streetcars.

Before Fame

He began his experimentation with electromagnets after touring New York's Penfield and Taft iron facility in 1833.

Trivia

He improved the wiring of an electromagnet by weaving in silk taken from the wedding dress worn by his wife.

Family Life

He grew up in Williamstown and Forest Dale, Vermont. His wife, Emily, was his electric motor co-inventor.

Associated With

Davenport's invention was greatly influenced by the electromagnetic work of scientist Joseph Henry.