How real electric motors work

John Storey

8. The infamous "ball bearing" motor

This motor is nothing more than a shaft supported by two ball bearings. Current is fed to the outside of one bearing, runs through the shaft, and out the other bearing. It sometimes needs a little kick to get it started, but once turning will run equally well in either direction.

Advantages:
• Perfect conversation-starter at parties
• Creates confusion amongst engineers

Disadvantages:
• Completely useless
• Requires staggeringly high currents to make it turn

This motor has no windings, brushes, magnets, and cannot possibly work. Except that it does. Click here for an explanation.