Meaning in a Material Medium

On September 3 and 4, 1821 Michael Faraday, age 30, performed a series of experiments which ultimately produced what were called “electromagnetic rotations.” Faraday showed how an appropriately organized combination of electric and magnetic elements would produce rotary motion. He invented the first electric motor. Faraday's work resulted in several “products.” He published several papers describing his discovery (Faraday 1821; 1821-2; 1822c). He wrote letters to many scientific colleagues (Faraday 1812-48, pp. 122-39). He built, or had built, several copies of an apparatus which, requiring no experimental knowledge or dexterity on the part of its user, would display the notable rotations (Faraday 1822a; 1822b). He shipped these to his scientific colleagues (Faraday 1812-48, pp. 128-9). It is this material product which I would like to focus on. For the presentation of this talk in New Orleans, I intended to have my own version of Faraday's first electric motor.