Electrostatic Motors: Their History, Types, and Principles of Operation

The most authoritative and comprehensive book on the subject of using high voltage electric charge to power a motor. The book shows the type of electrostatic motor that was first invented by Ben Franklin in 1748. It also reviews and illustrates electric pendulum motors, electric wind motors, Franklin's spark motors, capacitor motors, inductance motors, corona motors, liquid immersed motors, electret motors and more. The last chapter shows how the electrostatic motor can be designed to be powered by atmospheric electricity, which Professor Jefimenko experimented with at the University of West Virginia. The author is very meticulous to give dates and references for the historical use of particularly unique electrostatic motors. Dr. Jefimenko's articles from Popular Science magazine are reprinted in the Appendix for those who want to build their own electrostatic motor. He also reviews the atmospheric potential for generating energy, pointing out it is in the gigawatt range. The book also includes his review article on the earth's electric field as a natural source of electrostatic energy.