1920s

Dudlo Magnet Wire Spool

An improved method for making magnet wire-insulated copper wire wound into coils to create electro-magnetic fields-was developed in Fort Wayne, an innovation that fostered local industries to such an extent that Fort Wayne became known as the magnet wire capital of the world. Without magnet wire, electrical devices, such as motors, television, computers, and automobiles would not be possible. George Jacobs formed the Dudlo Wire Company in 1911 with William Mossman and his son, B. Paul Mossman. He perfected a chemical enameling that had been a large problem for General Electric and other companies; the insulating process allowed wire of any thickness-especially fine wire-to be coated evenly with a chemical insulation that could be baked on and yet remain flexible enough to be wrapped into coils. It was a great improvement on the former process of wrapping wire with fabric. This process was used by Dudlo through World War I and into the 1920s. Essex later acquired the company plant and for a time Essex, Rea Magnet Wire, Phelps Dodge and General Electric in Fort Wayne were producing ninety percent of the magnet wire in the United States. The small wire spool, with its original box, still contains Dudlo manufactured wire. The Dudlo logo with red lightning bolts appears on the ends of the spool. This particular type of wire would have been used in radios.