Traction motors were designed the laboratory and then built
at the Schenectady Machine Works which had the large scale
facilities work this technology, including indoor test
track.
Ironically, the policy R&D for hire led the
laboratory improving the Sprague motor for EGE while
experiments were being undertaken produce competing Edison
system! The Sprague street car motor had been the starting
point Edison's researches into new motor. Its unique
construction put the motor the driving axle the vehicle,
and used gearing keep the armature far away from the motor.
This design was compact and resistant the dust and dirt that
was the bane the traction motor designer.
TRACTION NOTES.
. This work also had spill-overs in
general dynamo construction and manufacture. From 1889 to
1890 the laboratory examined and improved the Sprague motor
under contract EGE, altering the design and revising the
method its manufacture. Edison and Kennelly often travelled Schenectady to
C
work traction and high voltage distribution systems.2
. They signed new accord 1890. j
project.
1) Electrical World, Jan 1892, XLX, 2;
2) Orange Chronicle, Nov Dec 1889, May 1890, 1889 electric
railroad. EGE even took up
Edison's diverse research into traction after had given up
on his low voltage system
