See Nathan Stubblefield
Observation: Strictly speaking, he is not using iron wire as he says. He is using steel coated with zinc. Zinc plus copper plus electrolyte (water) = battery. So it is a coil plus a battery. The question is how long can polarity continue until neutralization? Just asking....

Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHPKSdRRPCQ
Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28zBEvu5_g4
Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD06J9IpbAA
Part 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6a4goOGrgo
Part 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLL7YKO7q8c

See Also

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coil
Figure 16.06 - Russells Genero-Radiative Coils - Electricity Expands and Contracts
Polar Interchange - Table of Contents
Tesla Coil