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Lightning Rod and House Electrostatic Apparatus

Specifications

Lightning Rod and 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
Manufacturer:

Griffin and Tatlock

Place of Production:

United Kingdom

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Wooden house facade centered on a rectangular base (a) and a Leyden jar (b-c). There is a metal rod through the center of the house facade. At the top of the rod is a brass sphere. Nailed to the front of the wooden base is a black metal plate with gold embossed text and a griffin icon. On the opposite side of the base is a white paper label with handwritten text. The Leyden jar (b) rests on top of the paper label. The jar is clear glass with a si...

Materials:

wood

metal

glass

Marks: On plate: "GRIFFIN & TATLOCK LTD. / LONDON / GLASGOW / EDIBURGH / MANCHESTER / LIVERPOOL" On label: "MODEL OF / LIGHTNING / CONDUCTOR."

Measurements: Object A:
    Height: 12 in, Length: 9 in, Width: 6 in
    Weight: 1.2 lbs
Object B:
&nb...

Credit

Museum Purchase, 2010.1.2a-c

Display Status

On Exhibit

Lightning Rod and House Electrostatic Apparatus

About: Lightning Rod and House Electrostatic Apparatus

About: Lightning Rod and House Electrostatic Apparatus

Made by Griffin and Tatlock Limited, this 1850s model demonstrates the importance of the lightning rod, which protects buildings by siphoning off the buildup of static charge from a storm cloud and directing the charge into the ground. The lightning would be generated by the adjacent Leyden Jar, a type of capacitator used to store electrostatic energy, and it would occur as electrons travelled between the two metal balls.

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Copyright information

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