Johann Philipp Wagner


Johann Philipp Wagner was a German merchant and inventor. He is credited for being the first person to investigate the use of electric current for transport.

Career

Wagner started working in the iron industry in 1815. In 1836, with the help of mechanic Fritz Albert, Wagner built and presented an electromagnetic engine at the annual celebration of the Senckenberg Society. In 1840, Wagner built his first "electric train" in his workshop, which weighed 40 pounds, and could pull another 60-pound car for several hours at considerable speed.
On November 10, 1840, Wagner was granted a patent to build an electromagnetic rotary apparatus. On January 15, 1841, he presented the completed work. On February 25, 1841, Wagner described in his report to the Federal Assembly the disadvantages of the steam operation, compared to electric alternative. On June 13, 1844, the Federal Assembly concluded that Wagner's engine was 12 times more expensive to build than the steam engine.