George Cove
George Cove | |
|---|---|
| Born | George H Cove 1863 or 1864. |
| Known for | 'solar electric generator' |
George Cove was a Canadian inventor, known primarily for early solar electric generation equipment.
Biography[]
George Cove was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, in 1863 or 1864.[1] In 1904–05, Cove developed his 'solar electric generator' which he displayed at the Metropole Building in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[2][3] Word of this device reached American investors, and a plant to develop more devices was planned in Somerville, Massachusetts.[4] In 1906, Cove patented a device for capturing tidal power for which he won a gold medal from the Canadian government for his model of the machine and a plan for harnessing the tides of the Bay of Fundy. In 1909–10, Cove maintained a workshop in New York at 118 Maiden Lane to manufacture solar electric generators.[5] In 1909, Cove was kidnapped[6] and offered $25,000 and a house to stop promoting his devices. He refused and was released at the Bronx Zoo. Cove accused a former investor, of organizing the kidnapping.[7] After the kidnapping, the business shuttered.
His father Joseph Cove patented many mechanical devices. His mother, Ann, was also born in Nova Scotia, and her parents were from Ireland.
Legacy[]
It has been speculated that Cove may have invented a photovoltaic panel 40 years before Bell Labs did in 1950.[8]
See also[]
- Timeline of solar energy
- Charles Fritts
References[]
- ^ Bartels, Dennis (1997-06-06). "George Cove's Solar Energy Device". Material Culture Review. ISSN 1927-9264.
- ^ View of George Cove's Solar Energy Device, Material Culture Review
- ^ "ELECTRICITY FROM THE SUN'S RAYS". The World's News. No. 386. New South Wales, Australia. 8 May 1909. p. 10. Retrieved 29 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Halifax Herald, 4 May 1909
- ^ "Research Reports / Rapports de recherche - George Cove's Solar Energy Device1". journals.lib.unb.ca. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
- ^ The New York Herald on 19 October 1909
- ^ The World newspaper (19 October 1909)
- ^ "How to Build a Low-tech Solar Panel?". LOW-TECH MAGAZINE. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
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- 1860s births
- 19th-century Canadian inventors
- 20th-century Canadian inventors
- People from Amherst, Nova Scotia
- Businesspeople from Nova Scotia
- Canadian expatriates in the United States
- Kidnapped Canadian people
- Canadian engineer stubs