Using experience he had gained while working for Jean Heilmann on steam-electric locomotive designs, Brown observed that three-phase motors had a higher power-to-weight ratio than DC motors and, because of the absence of a commutator, were simpler to manufacture and maintain.
Menggunakan pengalaman saat bekerja di Jean Heilmann pada desain lokomotif uap-listrik, Brown mengamati bahwa motor tiga fase memiliki rasio daya-ke-berat yang lebih tinggi daripada motor DC dan, karena tidak adanya komutator, lebih mudah untuk memproduksi dan merawatnya.