Electromagnet

Making Electromagnets
RadioShack sells some enamel coated wire that is excellent for making electromagnets. The package has three different gauges in it. Chose your gauge and do the wrappings. Make sure to leave a fair bit of extra wire on the ends. When you finish you will need to sand off some of the enamel on the two ends so that you have a contact surface. You can use simple insulated wire too, but the insulation may melt at lower temperatures than the enamel would and you won't be able to put your wraps as close together.

Uses of Electromagnets industrially
This list has been copied from Wikipedia.
 * Motors and generators
 * Transformers
 * Relays
 * Electric bells and buzzers
 * Loudspeakers and earphones