Robert Davidson builds the first electric locomotive in Aberdeen

Background. Robert Davidson was a Scottish inventor and chemist based in Aberdeen. He studied at Marischal College and became a prosperous local resident. His work focused on developing small electric motors based on his own principles, which he began producing in 1837. These motors utilized galvanic cells, laying the groundwork for his later inventions.

Technical Construction. In 1837, Davidson made a model electric locomotive. This miniature machine was powered by galvanic cells, which are batteries. The construction represented an early application of electric motors to mechanical transport, demonstrating that electrical traction could be a practical option for railway companies.

Demonstration and Legacy. Davidson aimed to show new railway companies that electric locomotives were viable. The Electrician magazine later reported that "Robert Davidson was undoubtedly the first to demonstrate the possibility of electrical traction in a practical way", and he was described as the "oldest living electrician". His 1837 model preceded the 1842 Galvani locomotive, which was trialled on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line, though that trial falls outside this event's scope.