October 1946  - Westinghouse unveils the Electropult

When American aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R Ford enters service in 2015, it will be the first vessel of its kind to feature an electromagnetic launch system, rather than the steam catapult technology that’s traditionally been used  to launch aircraft from the decks of carriers.

The technology - which will help aircraft to accelerate more smoothly to launch speed - is generally viewed as “new”, it’s even been identified by Airbus as a potential way of launching civilian aircraft more rapidly and efficiently. 

But way back in 1946, The Engineer reported on a prototype system dubbed the “electropult” that was already at an advanced state of development. You can read the full article here.

‘A 440ft diameter motor, developed or rolled out so that the rotor forms a flat track upon which the flat stator can run linearly, would constitute, at first acquaintance, an unpromising machine.’ wrote The Engineer.