As the name would suggest, electrostatics is that "section of [the] science of electricity which deals with the phenomena of electric charges substantially at rest" (Chambers 1988,297). It had been known since antiquity that rubbed amber [a fossil resin] attracted light particles. Indeed the name electricity derives from the Greek word for amber. The same effect is observed when you comb your hair with a plastic comb: it will then attract small pieces of paper. Francis Hauksbee (c1666-1713), Curator of Experiments to the Royal Society in London, constructed a machine with a globe of glass, which could be rotated and rubbed with a pad of sheepskin to produce electricity, publishing his results in 1709 (Turner 1983,188). Similar machines followed, which used cylinders of glass or glass discs, and these "electrostatic generators" became more efficient and created larger voltages.
This section of the catalogue details the electrostatic generators in the collection, together with instruments and apparatus used with them to demonstrate the phenomena of static electricity.

135 Gamut of Bells
136 Electric Cannon
142 Carre Electrostatic Generator
143 Nairne Electrostatic Generator
144 Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator
146 Winter Electrostatic Generator

Elec./Mag. Page

Telegraphy & Radio