Eddy current testing has its origins with Michael Faraday’s discovery of electromagnetic induction in 1831. Faraday was a chemist in England during the early 1800’s and is credited with the discovery of electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic rotations, the magneto-optical effect, diamagnetism, and other phenomena. In 1879, another scientist named Hughes recorded changes in the properties of a coil when placed in contact with metals of different conductivity and permeability. However, it was not until the Second World War that these effects were put to practical use for testing materials. Much work was done in the 1950’s and 60’s, particularly in the aircraft and nuclear industries. Eddy current testing is now a widely used and well-understood inspection technique.
