Original Edison Dynamo

The patent would answer your question because the details would be part of the drawing and desciption submitted. Take a look and see.

I doubt you could make an exact copy - the wire was probably coated with lard and horsehair, or some such thing, instead of plastic or Teflon, but you could get close.

They would have used tar and paper. It was used up until the early seventies.

18 or 19 - 70 ?

There used to be an original one on display in the lobby of the Rochester Gas & Electric Co operations center on Jefferson Rd. I understand that the building has since been torn down, but it should still be on display some where in the Rochester NY area. It probably weighs 6 to 8 thousand pounds and originally ran in the hydro station on the Genesee river middle falls around 1927. It was belt driven and turned 5 or 6 hundred RPM. I never saw this machine run, but I worked on the crew that prepared it and moved it to the display site.

You're right that the building was torn down about a year ago. I have no idea where the dynamo went. Guess I'll have to check.

A score of years ago or so, I saw one of Edison's original dynamos on display at Con Edison's museum in their main building off 14th street in Manhattan. As I recall, they had several versions on display, along with early DC motors. Many things in NY near critical infra structure have been shut down since 9/11/01, so I do not know if this display is still open to the public. I will do a Google check: "Unfortunately, the Con Edison Energy Museum has closed its doors. As you can see by the information below, it was a pretty cool place. Con Ed also once had a tour of the Indian Point plant. If you feel so inclined, you may e-mail Con Ed and urge them to reopen these fine public education facilities! September 4, 1882, Pearl Street. A time and place important to us all. This was where Thomas Edison's power plant began producing electric power for distribution to homes and businesses. At the Con Edison Energy Museum, visitors learn how electricity traveled through Edison's specially designed underground system to the historic "First District," a mile-square area in lower Manhattan. With no existing electrical equipment manufacturers, Edison invented the complete system -- dynamos, regulators, meters -- every piece of electrical apparatus that was needed. At the Energy Museum, visitors will see some of Edison's inventions, and a working, scaled-down model of his Pearl Street Station. Just a few of the exhibits include, Con Edison Family Tree, Vertical City, Edison Tube System, The Kitchen of the 1920's, Energy Today, Our Energy Tomorrow, Paper Cable, Fish Hatchery on the Hudson, and many other exciting displays." It was a great display. The World Trade Center "Utility Floors" also were great displays to interested engineers - before the fall.

contact IEEE chapter in Pittsfield, MA. I am certain that someone there will have historical information and/or working models/product for you.

John,

Is this what you are looking to build? It went for 3K on Ebay. In addition, go to the following site:

http://www.archive.org/index.php

Plug in dynamo into the search engine and you will find at least a dozen books on dynamo construction and engineering from the turn of the century. These can be downloaded as a PDF files for your enjoyment. Several texts have plans for dynamos of varing size that can be built. I have been considering building an Edison dynamo to be powered by my small vertical steam engine circa 1890.

Bill

http://cgi.ebay.com/Edison-Dynamo_W0QQitemZ220092913943QQcategoryZ361QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Goodday I have an 1882 "Long legged Mary Ann in original paint for sale--the price is very high,so no tire kickers! Thanks for looking! see her at

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/82967-thomas-edison-dynamo-long-legged-mary-a?in=activity

Larry Healey CR4 ADMIN - email address removed

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I have an early engineering book from 1894, it has all the specs and pics of these. The size wire depends upon the voltage, and of course the KW output. This book has the different specs Edison and several others used along with basic drawings of their machines with measurements. I own 2 Edison dynamos at the time A small 5 KW 125V, and a larger 100KW 250V. 1879 and 1882. I am restoring both. Let me know what you are looking for exactly. J.R. Watts, Professional Engineer NY.

I am researching the history of electric power on ships. I understand that in May 1880 the S.S. COLUMBIA sailed with 115 lamps run by 4 bipolar "Mary Ann" dynamos. Do you know the kW rating and voltage of a circa 1880 Mary Ann.

J.F. Gerke, PE, (AZ, OR & WA), Maricopa, AZ.