| Magnets have been in use for thousands of years. | | | | As the current moves, the magnet follows in |
| The first known reference to magnetism dates back | | | | sequence. Electro-magnets are used in telegraphs, |
| to the 4th century B.C.E. from a Chinese literary work | | | | telephones, computers, cell phones, door bells, tape |
| called "Book of the Devil Valley Master." In this book, | | | | recorders, etc. Electromagnets are used on cranes |
| it was written that "lodestone attracts iron to it." | | | | to pick up and drop heavy loads, as well as in industrial |
| Lodestone is a type of magnetite metal with a special | | | | conveyor systems to pull metal parts out of various |
| crystalline structure that can naturally create a | | | | materials. Truck mounted magnets are also used to |
| magnetic field, thereby attracting and magnetizing | | | | clean up construction sites and prevent nails in vehicle |
| iron. By the 12th century A.D., Chinese sailors were | | | | tires. |
| using lodestone rocks as compasses for sea | | | | Magnet technology has also been used to develop the |
| navigation. | | | | MAGLEV (magnetically levitated train). The train |
| At one point in history, it was thought that lodestone | | | | track is a single rail system with the train levitating |
| could be used to keep the skin looking youthful. In | | | | above the track. This virtually eliminates all friction |
| fact, Cleopatra was reported to have slept on a | | | | and wear on the train and the track. Fluctuating |
| lodestone for many years. The therapeutic reputation | | | | electrical currents drive the train, and because friction is |
| of lodestone was passed on to the Greeks, as well, | | | | not a factor, the trains can move at very high |
| who began using magnets for healing around 2500 | | | | speeds. Theoretically, the speed could be infinite, if it |
| B.C.E. Aristotle and Plato frequently wrote of the | | | | were not for wind resistance on the train cars. |
| benefits of lodestones in their works. | | | | On June 6, 2008 President Bush signed a bill that will |
| Magnets have been used in Chinese medicine since | | | | support the building of the first MAGLEV train between |
| about 2000 B.C.E., in conjunction with reflexology and | | | | Las Vegas, Nevada and Disneyland in California. This |
| acupuncture. Magnets are still used today as a first | | | | project will enable passengers to travel the distance in |
| line of treatment for many common complaints. | | | | just under 2 hours, traveling at speeds up to 300 |
| Warm lodestones are often placed strategically on a | | | | MPH. Traveling in a car, this same trip would take |
| patient's back because it is believed that they help to | | | | just over 4 hours. |
| align the spirit. Modern day medical science is utilizing | | | | With need for more efficient energy and cleaner |
| magnetism now more than ever: | | | | methods of transportation, magnet technology is |
| magnetoencephalography (MEG) is used to measure | | | | becoming increasingly more important. Man's |
| brain activity, and we have been using shock therapy | | | | understanding of magnetism and its many uses is |
| to start a stopped heart for years now. | | | | often times considered to be one of our greatest |
| Today, the use of magnets in industrial and mechanical | | | | achievements, along with creating fire and the invention |
| applications is quite common. Magnets are the basic | | | | of the wheel. As time goes on and technology |
| driving force for all electric motors and electric | | | | continues to develop, our understanding of magnets will |
| generators. Every electric motor is dependent upon | | | | surely grow and continue to play a vital role in our |
| magnets with electrical coils surrounding the magnet. | | | | everyday lives. |