---
title: William Sturgeon's Electromagnet
author: Science Museum, London
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17207/william-sturgeons-electromagnet/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-04-20
---

# William Sturgeon's Electromagnet

_Authored by Science Museum, London_

## Image File

[![William Sturgeon's Electromagnet](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17207.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17207.png)

## Image Caption

A replica of the electromagnet invented by the Canadian engineer William Sturgeon (1783-1850). Sturgeon first devised the electromagnet in 1825; this version was invented around 1832. It was used to create a magnetic force that could provide lift and then drive a motor making it useful for all sorts of electrical machines.

[Science](https://www.worldhistory.org/science/) Museum, London.

## Cite This Work

### APA
London, S. M. (2023, March 20). William Sturgeon's Electromagnet. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17207/william-sturgeons-electromagnet/>
### Chicago
London, Science Museum,. "William Sturgeon's Electromagnet." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 20, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17207/william-sturgeons-electromagnet/>.
### MLA
London, Science Museum,. "William Sturgeon's Electromagnet." *World History Encyclopedia*, 20 Mar 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17207/william-sturgeons-electromagnet/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co36713/replica-of-william-sturgeons-rotary-electromagnetic-engine-rotary-electromagnetic-engine) by **Science Museum, London**. Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 20 March 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.