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Description: | The Hunterian holds an important collection of experimental electrostatic apparatus dating from the early-mid 19th century.
This collection was once part of the demonstration teaching equipment used in the Glasgow University Department of Natural Philosophy (now Physics & Astronomy).
Among the notable items are numerous Leyden jars (early capacitors, or electrical stores), a large table-mounted friction generator with a crank handle, electric discharge equipment, a well-preserved Wimshurst induction generator, plus several insulation trivets and footstools.
The Leyden jar was invented in the mid 18th century, following the discovery that by water could be electrified, and that this electricity could then be transferred. Early experimentors (including the explorer Alexander von Humbolt who tested the shock of Leyden jars compared to the charge of an electric eel) found that a considerable electric transfer could be delivered; batteries of aligned jars were soon commonplace.
When of large size, electrostatic friction generators could deliver sizeable electric shocks. This property was exploited in the mid and later 19th century when it became fashionable, and indeed prescribed treatment, to undergo electrical 'therapy'. The mental and behavioural conditions treated were often termed 'nervous headaches'.
The collection also includes two electroscopes of late 18th century date, one pith-ball type, and one gold leaf electroscope. | Subjects: | scientific instruments | Source: | Hunterian Museum | Address: | University of Glasgow,
University Avenue,
G12 8QQ | Creator: | Shan Macdonald | Contributor: | Glasgow University: Dept. of Natural Philosophy | Identifier: | C-0095 |
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