Maglev: The Legendary Transportation Tool

In an ancient Greek legend, a shepherd accidentally discovered magnetite, whose directional property gave birth to primitive navigation. Today, maglev technology stands as one of the most fascinating applications of magnets, known for frictionless high-speed transportation.

The 19th-century Earnshaw's theorem stated that fixed permanent magnets couldn't achieve stable levitation, but inventors overcame this limitation: In 1912, Emile Bachelet patented a maglev transport device, and 20 years later, Walter Kemper built a prototype. The first commercial maglev shuttle launched in the UK in 1984; now operational in China, South Korea and Japan, it reaches 270 mph, though high cost remains a drawback.

Maglev has two types: Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS), using electromagnets to attract the track, and Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS) relying on superconducting repulsion. Additionally, maglev bearings are energy-efficient and maintenance-free. The technology is also explored for spacecraft launches, with projects like StarTram aiming to slash space launch costs.