Linear induction machines I. History and theory of operation

The history of linear induction motors extends as far back as the 19th century. Although these machines have been practically forgotten for the last 30 or 40 years, there appears to be a genuine revival of interest in them. The fascinating history of these ``unrolled'' motors and their theory of operation is the subject of Part I of this article. Part II will deal with the unique advantages that such high-performance systems have for modern-day applications.