WIMSHURST GENERATOR, 1950's

Wimshurst built these machines between 1880 and 1883.

This unit was used in schools and colleges up to the early 1980's and is not antique although they are now seldom seen. It was used as a training aid in a subject that is no longer considered important in a world of computers.

The two disks rotate in opposite directions when the handle is turned. Strips of foil on the disks are rubbed with two wire brushes, static is picked up by prongs positioned close to the disks and stored in two jars (Leyden Jars). When the charge is sufficient a large spark discharges the stored energy across a gap by two brass rods.

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