For the philosophical/theological concept of a prime mover (that is, a self-existent being that is the ultimate cause or "mover" of all things), see cosmological argument. The cosmological argument is an argument for the existence of God. ...

The term prime mover is used to describe the main power source where the application is complex. For instance, the engine in a semi-trailer is sometimes referred to as a prime mover, although the term is much more common in industrial applications. Simply, in the case of an automobile, the engine is the prime mover whilst associated equipment such as the electrical generator, power steering pump, fuel pump etc. are secondary movers. An engine is something that produces some effect from a given input. ... semi-trailer truck with sleeper behind the cab. ... A small variety of cars, the most popular kind of automobile. ... It has been suggested that Car engine be merged into this article or section. ... Electrical generator Generator (Mathematics) ... Power steering is a system for reducing the steering effort on cars by using an external power source to assist in turning the wheels. ... A fuel pump is an essential component on a car or other internal combustion engined device. ...

The term may also be used to describe an entire vehicle in the case of semi-trailer tractors, although this usage is more typically used in military settings. In a military context, the unit used to haul an artillery piece is generally referred to as its prime mover. For instance, the US Army refers to their Humvees used to tow howitzers as prime movers. semi-trailer truck with sleeper behind the cab. ... For the thrash metal band, see Artillery (band) Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... This article refers to the Military HMMWV, not the civilian Hummer sold by General Motors General Characteristics (Humvee) Manufacturer: AM General Length: 4. ... Loading a WW1 British 15 in (381 mm) howitzer A howitzer or hauwitzer is a type of field artillery. ...

In diesel-electric locomotives, prime mover refers to the diesel engine that drives the generator or alternator. In this case the traction motors are considered part of the transmission rather than prime movers themselves. A number of vehicles use a diesel-electric powerplant for providing locomotion. ... A locomotive (from lat. ... Electrical generator Generator (Mathematics) ... An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to alternating current electrical energy. ... Traction motor typically refers to those motors that are used to power the driving wheels of a railroad locomotive, electrical multi-unit train (such as a subway or light rail vehicle train), or a tram. ... In mechanics, a transmission or gearbox is the gear and/or hydraulic system that transmits mechanical power from a prime mover (which can be an engine or electric motor), to some form of useful output device. ...

The term in contemporary language

As can be seen above, the term proves quite versatile. Besides the rather mechanical connotation of the term (engines, vehicles), and besides the cosmological/theological/philosophical meaning of it (god/goddess/principle in philosophy; cf. Aristotle), prime mover goes along with a huge variety of meanings and uses. Aristotle (Ancient Greek: Aristotelēs 384 BC – March 7, 322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. ...

The term may also be used in the context of human beings. Individuals can be described as prime movers (inventors, industrial or military leaders, cf. "The Prime Movers - Traits of the great wealth creators", Edwin A. Locke, 2000) as well as groups of people (companies, cf. "Prime Movers - Define your business or have somebody define it against you", Rafael Ramirez and Johan Wallin, 2000) or creative groups of artists, cf. "Prime Movers - The makers of modern dance in America" Joseph H. Mazo, 2000). Human beings are defined variously in biological, spiritual, and cultural terms, or in combinations thereof. ...

The mindset in this rather psychological or sociological application can be named prime movership (cf. "Reframing Landscape - How the map changes the landscape", Richard Normann, 2001). The term is not only in use on the psychological side; it also can be found in the context of physics. Muscles, which are decisive for sports performance or crafts are called prime movers (cf. "Prime Mover - A natural history of muscle", by Steven Vogel, 2001). The human brain is being described as the prime mover for the evolution of mankind. For the philosophical/theological concept of a prime mover (that is, a self-created being that is the ultimate cause or mover of all things), see cosmological argument. ...

Hence, various publications make use of the term prime mover in their titles.

An important aspect is the use as a meme, which most probably emerged with industrialization, where machines/prime movers themselves became the driving force of progress (machining tools, drives, locomotives, ships, cars. The term meme (, phonetically; rhymes with theme), refers to any piece of information transferable from one mind to another. ...

Groups or individuals use the notion as a corporate or individual claim, to be prime movers in their line of business or activity (examples: a psychedelic band of the 1980's: The Prime Movers, a world leading producer of large Diesel engines; MAN B&W Diesel AG, companies removing furniture; Prime Movers etc.).

The driving force within an individual or group of people or a state of being is sometimes named with the latin term of a primum movens or "primum mobile". Prime Movership stands for the quality of being a prime mover, i. e. the first to move, to create or to reach a state, which has not been reached by many or others at all before. Prime Movership has been specifically defined as "the mind-set of value creation" (cf. Richard Norman, "Reframing Business - How the Map changes the landscape", 2001). This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

External links

• Pictures of an extremely large container ship engine