Weber's theory of magnetism from 1852 proposes that all molecules in magnetic substances are themselves tiny magnets with a north and south pole. In an unmagnetized state, these molecular magnets are randomly arranged. Magnetization occurs when an external magnetic field aligns the majority of the molecular magnets, with their north poles pointing in one direction and south poles in the other, giving the substance its overall magnetic properties. The theory explains magnetic behavior in terms of thermal motion disrupting the alignment of molecular magnets at higher temperatures.