Who invented metal detectors? The history of the metal detector starts in the 1800s. In 1874, a French electrical engineer named Gustave Trouvé built the first metal detector. He created it to locate and remove bullets and other metal objects from individuals.
Due to the assassination of US President James Garfield in 1881, Alexander Graham Bell attempted to create a metal detector similar to Trouvé’s (most likely induction balance type). Bell used his crude metal detector to try to locate the bullet inside President Garfield.
However, the attempt to find and remove the bullet failed because the bed’s metal springs interfered with the rudimentary metal detector.
During World War II, metal detectors were extremely useful as land mine detectors. Lieutenant Józef Kosacki, a Polish Army engineer, invented the first portable metal detector in 1941. Lieutenant Kosacki was stationed in Scotland when Nazi forces occupied Poland.
His invention had a long wand and dish, similar to modern metal detectors, but the electronics required a huge and hefty backpack. Nevertheless, the Allies used hundreds of thousands of land mine detectors during World War II based on his concept.
Metal detectors are used to locate metal items in archaeology. In 1958, a military historian was the first to utilize it. The Battle of the Little Bighorn was mapped using a metal detector by Don Rickey. Metal detectors were initially used at airports in the United States in 1972 to detect concealed metal weapons. Outokumpu, a business in Finland, created the first walk-through security detectors.
Metal detecting did not make a significant leap forward until the 1920s. Then, in 1925, Gerhard Fisher filed the first patent for a metal detector based on radio direction finding. He was developing a radio-based navigation system but discovered that the findings were thrown off when his equipment was near metal-rich rocks.
He realized he could utilize this to create his own metal detector and filed a patent application. After seeing Fischer’s proposal, Albert Einstein was so impressed that he projected that metal detectors would be used worldwide.
Gerhard Fischer founded Fisher Research Laboratory in 1931 to develop and market the first hand-held metal detectors. It was run out of his garage and employed four people.
They would go on to create the M-Scope metal detector, which revolutionized the hobby of metal detecting around the world. Texas Products eventually bought the company in 2006, and they now hold the Bounty Hunter and Teknetics brands.
Bruce Kerr and David Hiscock invented the first industrial metal detectors in 1947. Goring Kerr, the business that founded it, was a pioneer in using and developing the first industrial metal detector. Goring Kerr’s Metlokate metal detector was used to test Mars bars by one of their first customers, Mars Incorporated.
Pharmaceutical, beverage, textile, food, garment, plastics, chemicals, lumber, mining, and packaging industries employ industrial metal detectors.
Metal shards from broken processing gear contaminating food during the manufacturing process is a serious food safety concern. Metal detectors are frequently utilized and integrated into the production line for this reason.
Metal detecting is currently used at garment or apparel manufacturing plants to check for metal contamination (needle, broken needle, etc.) after the garments have been entirely sewed and before they are shipped. This is necessary for safety reasons.
Bruce Kerr and David Hiscock invented the industrial metal detector in 1947. Goring Kerr, the business that founded it, was a pioneer in using and developing the first industrial metal detector. Goring Kerr’s Metlokate metal detector was used to test Mars bars by one of their first customers, Mars Incorporated.
The standard industrial metal detector consists of a three-coil configuration as its primary operating concept. An amplitude modulated(AM) transmitting coil and two receiving coils, one on either side of the transmitter.
The receiving coils’ design and physical configuration determine their ability to detect very small metal contaminates of 1 mm or less. Nevertheless, modern metal detectors still use this design to detect tramp metal.
The hobby experienced a significant rise in the early 1970s. The VLF (very low frequency) metal detector was introduced. They are extremely sensitive to small things, such as gold nuggets, and may penetrate up to 10 inches inside a coin.
Most feature good discriminating circuits that filter out iron, foil, and other undesired “junk” materials. 90% of all detectors sold today still use VLF technology, and the fundamental concepts that drive them haven’t altered much since their origin.
There’s a good probability that any “general purpose” or even dedicated “gold prospecting” modern metal detector you buy today uses VLF technology. It’s also possible that it was designed by Dave Johnson, an engineer of First Texas Products.
In 2018, metal detecting was more popular than it had ever been. TV shows and documentaries about uncovering lost treasure and riches had sparked a new wave of interest in the sport. Every day, people bought detectors in the hopes of finding that perfect retirement find. However, many novice amateurs were confronted with the harsh reality that metal detecting is not easy.
Gold prospecting is one of the most difficult sorts of detecting. It requires devotion and hard work to enjoy, let alone thrive in this activity. Yet, many people find it simple to enjoy. They were propelled ahead by the thrill of the pursuit. They’re willing to dig 500 pull tabs to discover their new gold ring.
On the other hand, others sell their brand new gold detector after discovering nothing except bullets and iron pieces on the first day. Many metal detectors, thankfully, include the discrimination mentioned above circuit.
We can get rid of the evil while still discovering the wonderful. So, what do you have to lose? Don’t be frightened to jump right into the exciting metal detecting expedition.
What is the Value of a Metal Detector?
Aside from a tiny shovel and some other little items, the most important item for metal and mineral detection is undoubtedly a decent quality metal detector. To begin, you should look into purchasing a decent entry-level metal detector that usually ranges from $100 to $200 all the way to $1000, depending on your budget.
The most critical characteristic when choosing a detector is the capacity to efficiently discern between different types of metals you may encounter on your quest.
A decent machine can recognize and isolate the frequencies of undesired metals so that you may specifically hunt for the metals you want. Of course, the metal detector’s depth is also crucial, but consider that the deeper a detector can go, the more expensive it is likely to be.
