Coiled Metal Wire find need help ID

[High Etiquette 009]

Found in the woods was this metal. I squeezed it a bit after I dug it up and it came apart as very thin wire that seems to be coiled. Could this be a part to a motor? Any input is appreciated

 

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[Bruce R]

Those type of windings are often seen in automotive ignition coils, light ballasts, small transformers, etc, they don’t appear to be motor windings, but who knows ?

 

[john845]

might be from an electric motor. its usually wrapped around steel in electric motors

 

[Tony in SC]

Looks like a winding from an ignition coil. Can you tell if it is two different wires in the winding?

 

[Anduril]

I don't know what that is?
The wire looks really, really thin to be part of a motor or electromagnet winding.

I'm more concerned with the non-wire portion of your photo.
Any chance that's old-style asbestos insulation for electrical wiring?
If so, take appropriate precautions, or just dispose of it properly.

 

[mcmich]

Google old transistor radio coils. They had a couple of types, antennae and oscillator coils. Used really thin gauge wire.

 

[Anduril]

Google old transistor radio coils. They had a couple of types, antennae and oscillator coils. Used really thin gauge wire.

Yes. I am an electrical engineer specializing in wireless.
I thought about coils (inductors), but those almost always have some sort of insulating varnish on them to keep the coil windings from shorting to each other.
That's why I ruled it out. Plus, I'm pretty sure those old coils used thicker wire. (The stuff in the photo is really, really small gauge!)

My second thought was a used Brillo pad. But being made of steel wool, that would probably show signs of rust.
Also, a Brillo pad is pretty much just steel wool and soap. There is clearly something else in the photo.

One last note: The transistor was invented in 1947 -- so not that long ago. (Maybe you meant vacuum tube radio coils?)
Radio was invented in 1895. Both became popular and widespread very quickly after they were invented.