Otis Singleton
The electric fan was invented in the late 19th century, with Schuyler Wheeler credited as the inventor of the first electric fan in 1882. However, the use of fans dates back to ancient civilizations, with the Egyptians using palm leaves and lotus leaves to fan themselves. Over time, fans have evolved from hand-operated devices to mechanical and electric versions, with the first electric fan consisting of just two blades without a protective cage. The introduction of plastic fans in 1934 by Vent-Axia, a British company, revolutionized the market, and by the 1940s, Crompton Greaves became a leading manufacturer of electric ceiling fans. Today, fans come in various designs, including bladeless, tower, and ceiling fans, offering improved comfort and air quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of development of plastic electric fans | 1937 |
| Material used for coating fan blades | Micarta (a plastic laminate) |
| Year of marketing electric fans for household use | 1910 |
| Company that marketed electric fans for household use | Westinghouse |
| Cost of electricity to operate the fan per hour | One-fourth of a penny |
| Year of development of the first electric fan | 1882 |
| Inventor of the first electric fan | Schuyler Wheeler |
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What You'll Learn
- The first electric fan was invented in 1882 by Schuyler Wheeler
- Fans were first marketed for home use in 1910
- In 1937, a new plastic laminate coating was developed for fan blades
- Fans were used in ancient civilisations, with servants fanning pharaohs and important figures
- Fans were initially made from wood, plastic, or metal
The first electric fan was invented in 1882 by Schuyler Wheeler
The electric fan was invented by Schuyler Wheeler, an American electrical engineer and manufacturer. Born in New York City in 1860, Wheeler was the son of a lawyer and a banker's daughter. He began working for Herzog Teleseme Company as an electrician in 1884. In 1882, Wheeler recognised the potential of electricity and embarked on a journey to become one of America's most renowned inventors.
Between 1882 and 1886, Wheeler invented the first electric fan. The initial design featured just two blades and used a dangerous open-wound motor, requiring direct current (DC) power. However, by 1887, Wheeler's electric fan was commercially available, with significant improvements. The updated design included six blades and featured an interchangeable light that controlled the fan's speed. This innovation was manufactured by the Crocker and Curtis Electric Motor Company, where Wheeler worked as the main technician and plant manager.
Wheeler's electric fan was a groundbreaking invention, paving the way for modern fans that still follow his original concepts. Over time, the fan's light was replaced with a two-speed switch, and an optional safety cage for the blades was introduced, resembling the designs we see today. Wheeler's impact extended beyond the fan, as he also played a pivotal role in the early development of the electric motor industry. He helped establish ethical standards for electrical engineers and dedicated himself to creating employment opportunities for the visually impaired within the industry.
In addition to his work on electric fans, Wheeler was a pioneer in various other fields. He invented a technology for instantaneous voting results, where voters could press a button to transmit their vote electrically to a central ballot box. Wheeler also contributed to the development of electric elevators and electric fire engines. His innovative spirit and dedication to improving lives through technology left a lasting legacy that continues to impact us today.
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Fans were first marketed for home use in 1910
Fans have been used for millennia, with the ancient Egyptians using servants to fan them with palm leaves. In 1734, the British natural philosopher John Theophilus Desaguliers invented a paddle fan, which was intended to prevent the buildup of foul air or circulate hot and cold air in hospitals, prisons, and public places. However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that mechanical and electric fans were invented. In 1882, Schuyler Skaats Wheeler applied electricity to create a fan that turned without human or horsepower. Philip H. Diehl patented the ceiling fan in 1889, and in 1902, technology was created to produce the first functioning oscillating fan.
By 1910, Westinghouse was marketing an electric fan for household use, claiming that the electricity to operate it would cost only one-fourth of a penny per hour. These "residential fans" were designed for the bedroom and had six blades that ran at a slower speed to be quieter. By 1912, manufacturers were able to "turn" brass housings for small fans, and they also began to "turn" or stamp steel for motors and bases. As World War I approached, there was a brass shortage, so by the end of the decade, brass cages had been replaced by steel cages. All blades were now round, and engines had shrunk from an 8" diameter to 5".
In the 1930s, Emerson Electric Co. introduced the Silver Swan, a fan based on a propeller design with a cage. The blade was made of aluminum, and the design was a great success, probably helping Emerson survive the Depression. In 1934, Vent-Axia, a British company, introduced self-contained window fans made of plastic instead of metal. In 1937, a new plastic laminate called Micarta was developed for coating fan blades, making them quieter and less likely to warp or corrode. During World War II, fan makers used their capacity to help with the war effort, and few if any electric fans were made for the market. Production restarted after the war with the same pre-war designs.
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In 1937, a new plastic laminate coating was developed for fan blades
The development of the electric fan has been a relatively short but rapid process. The first electric fan was invented in 1882 by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler, who applied electricity developed by Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla to make a fan turn without human or horsepower. By 1889, Philip H. Diehl had patented the ceiling fan, and by 1902, technology was created to produce the first functioning oscillating fan.
In 1937, a new plastic laminate coating for fan blades was developed, marking a significant step in the evolution of electric fans. This coating, known as Micarta, brought several advantages to the fans. Firstly, it made the fans significantly quieter, addressing the issue of noise associated with early mechanical fans. The plastic laminate also reduced the likelihood of warping and corrosion, enhancing the durability and longevity of the fan blades. This innovation was a welcome improvement, especially as fans became more prevalent in homes and workplaces.
The development of Micarta for fan blades coincided with other advancements in fan technology during the 1930s. For instance, Emerson introduced the Silver Swan fan in 1932, featuring a blade based on a yacht propeller design. This design, made of aluminum, was a commercial success and contributed to the company's endurance during the Great Depression. Additionally, in the 1930s, there were improvements in motor design, particularly with the insulation of copper wires, allowing for smaller motors and more compact fan designs.
The 1930s and 1940s also witnessed the emergence of art deco designs in fans, with colourful and decorative styles becoming more prevalent in the following decades. However, the introduction of air conditioning in the 1960s reduced the demand for fans. It wasn't until the energy crisis of the 1970s that fans experienced a resurgence in popularity due to their energy efficiency compared to air conditioners.
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Fans were used in ancient civilisations, with servants fanning pharaohs and important figures
Hand fans have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilisations. In ancient Egypt, servants would fan pharaohs and important figures to keep them cool. The tomb of Tutankhamun contained two elaborate hand fans, one coated in gold leaf and the other ebony overlaid with gold and precious stones. The earliest depictions of fans in ancient Egypt take the form of relief carvings, such as an 11th-century BCE carving in the Temple of Ramesses III, which shows a figure carrying a long-handled processional fan trimmed with feathers.
Fans were also used in ancient China, where they came in various shapes and forms, such as leaf, oval, or half-moon shapes, and were made from materials such as silk, bamboo, and feathers. The oldest existing Chinese fans are a pair of woven bamboo, wood, or paper side-mounted fans from the 2nd century BCE. The Chinese form of the feather fan, known as yushan, consisted of a row of feathers mounted at the end of a handle. The wumingshan, or zhangshan, is believed to be the most ancient ritual Chinese fan, characterised by a long handle and a door-shaped fan. This type of fan was used for ceremonial purposes and continued to be used as a symbol of imperial power and authority until the fall of the Qing dynasty.
In ancient Japan, hand fans were influenced by Chinese fans, with the earliest visual depiction dating back to the 6th century CE in burial tomb paintings. The folding fan was invented in Japan, with dates ranging from the 6th to 9th centuries, and was later introduced to China by Japanese monks and envoys. Fans were also used in ancient Greece, where they were known as rhipis, rhipister, or rhipidion, and in ancient Rome, where emperors added the cooling power of snow hauled down from the Alps.
Hand fans were used before the invention of mechanical fans, which were initially found in parliament buildings and noble homes. The first electric fans were invented between 1882 and 1886 by Schuyler Wheeler, with the first electric ceiling fan developed by Philip Diehl in 1882. By 1910, Westinghouse was marketing an electric fan for household use, and in 1934, Vent-Axia, a British company, introduced self-contained window fans made of plastic.
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Fans were initially made from wood, plastic, or metal
Fans have been used for millennia, dating back to ancient civilisations. In ancient Egypt, servants would fan pharaohs and important figures with palm leaves or lotus leaves. In hot climates like India, handheld fans made from bamboo strips or other plant fibres were used to move air.
The first mechanical fans were pioneered in China in 180 AD, powered by humans. In the 1830s, an American physician and scientist, John Gorrie, used blades to fan air from ice blocks to cool down sick patients.
The first electric fan was invented in 1882 by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler, who applied electricity developed by Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla to make a fan turn without human or horsepower. This early electric fan consisted of just two blades without a protective cage.
In the 1910s, electric fans were manufactured for home use, with Westinghouse marketing an electric fan for household use in 1910. These "residential fans" were made for the bedroom and had six blades, running at a slower speed to be quieter. By 1912, manufacturers were able to "turn" brass housings for small fans, and soon after, they were able to do the same with steel for motors and bases. By the end of the decade, brass cages had been replaced by steel cages, and all blades were round.
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Frequently asked questions
Self-contained window fans made of plastic were introduced in 1934 by the British company Vent-Axia.
The first electric fan was invented by Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler in 1886. It was a small, two-blade desk fan that was DC powered.
Electric fans are typically made of wood, metal, or plastic.
The invention of the electric fan, along with air conditioning, changed the way our ancestors kept cool. Before the invention of electric fans, people used handheld fans made from bamboo strips or other plant fibres.
Dr. Wheeler also invented the "swamp cooler" or evaporative cooler, which was developed in the 1930s. This invention blew air through water-dampened pads, absorbing heat and cooling the room.
