Charles G. Page Axial engine

 Dating to the 1840s, when electro-magnetism was an exciting new phenomenon. The term Electrician had distinguished connotations- think Magician. The device shown is a design for an electric motor by Professor Charles G. Page, obviously inspired by these newfangled steam engines. A and B are electromagnetic solenoids, as electricity energized the coils, iron rods are pulled into the cores, the power is then switched off or possibly reversed, releasing the rods to return to their previous position. The walking beam translates the reciprocating motion into rotary motion. This could then be used to power various devices. 

After demonstrating uses of this engine to run saws and pumps, Page successfully petitioned the U.S. Senate for funds to build an electromagnetic locomotive, he was given $30,000, electrical power provided by the primitive batteries of the time. The demonstration on April 29, 1851 with a ungainly prototype was a partial success, carrying 7 passengers on a 5 1/2 mile ride to a nearby town but exploding and failing battery cells during the return trip caused much grief. The money had run out and no one had been sufficiently impressed to invest more.