12.014 - Electric Appliances & Apparatus, Science Service Historical Image Collection

1943 - Dr. E.F.W. Alexanderson developed the amplidyne

G-E INVENTOR AND WAR DEVICE HE HELPED DEVELOP

CD 2478045 E&MP12.014

Electric Appliances & Apparatus

September 4, 1943

Dr. E. F. W. Alexanderson, who with other General Electric engineers developed the amplidyne, is shown with the device.

By ingenious use of a short circuit and a coil arrangement known as a compensating field winding, the amplidyne makes possible delicate control of powerful electric machinery in war plants and on battle fronts.

For example, with the help of the amplidyne, the world's largest electric shovel, which stands 10 stories high, is now producing 100,000 more tons of coal a month.

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INVENTION
Ordinarily an unfortunate accident, the short circuit has been put to work through the ingenuity of Dr. E.F.W. Alexanderson and other General Electric engineers.

The amplidyne which he is holding consists of a short circuit with a coil arrangement known as a compensating field winding.

It makes possible delicate control of powerful electric machinery in war plants and on battle fronts.