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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
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 ...
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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