I found this video interesting. Years ago I bought a re-print book on how to make one. This guy has built one with modern materials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9e7DBzdpQY
Some more detail
http://www.rexresearch.com/mrmagnet/mrmagnet.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9e7DBzdpQY
Some more detail
http://www.rexresearch.com/mrmagnet/mrmagnet.htm