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Thunder House Electrostatic Apparatus

Specifications

Thunder House Electrostatic Apparatus

Category

Science and Technology

Classification

CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology - Electrical & Magnetic T&E - Electrical & Magnetic Measurement Devices - Instrument, Electrical

Object Origin
Date Built:

c. 1880

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Mahogany wooden house-shaped object with a metal apparatus inside and a metal sphere mounted above the house's "chimney". The sides of the "house" are hinged so that the sides and roof fold down, allowing access to the interior. The interior has a wooden stand in the center with a black metal cylinder. There are two (2) pins inserted into the cylinder. Each pin is chained to opposite sides of the house. On the exterior side of the house with the ...

Materials:

mahogany

metal

Measurements: Object:
    Height: 10.5 in, Length: 8.5 in, Width: 5.25 in
    Weight: 1.8 lbs

Credit

Museum Purchase, 2010.1.1

Display Status

On Exhibit

Thunder House Electrostatic Apparatus

About: Thunder House Electrostatic Apparatus

About: Thunder House Electrostatic Apparatus

This 1880s Thunder House was used to demonstrate what happens when lightning strikes a house with an imperfectly placed lightning rod, causing the walls of the house to collapse. The “lightning” would be generated by a Leyden Jar, a type of capacitator used to store electricity.

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