The Wimshurst Machine (or "Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator") was developed by British inventor James Wimshurst over 1880-1883.  It was the most stable means to that date of accumulating static electric charge until it reached such a high voltage that it would discharge across the air gap between two conductors.  A crank handle rotates two insulating disks bearing a radial set of conductors in opposite directions by means of two belts (one with a twist).  A static charge on one disk induces an equal and opposite charge on the other, the potential between them being amplified as they are rotated away from each other, and the charges being collecting by metal combs facing the disks.  The charges are accumulated in "Leydon Jars", these being the precursor to the modern capacitor.  (The Leydon jars collect charge, with opposite charge induced on the external foil coating.)

The Wimshurst Machine (or "Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator") was developed by British inventor James Wimshurst over 1880-1883.  It was the most stable means to that date of accumulating static electric charge until it reached such a high voltage that it would discharge across the air gap between two conductors.  A crank handle rotates two insulating disks bearing a radial set of conductors in opposite directions by means of two belts (one with a twist).  A static charge on one disk induces an equal and opposite charge on the other, the potential between them being amplified as they are rotated away from each other, and the charges being collecting by metal combs facing each disk.  The charges are accumulated in "Leydon Jars", one for each disk, these being the precursor to the modern capacitor.  (The Leydon jars in this machine consist of jars, on the inside of which is metal wool, and on the outside a metal foil coating.  The insides of one jar is connected to one of the disks, and the other to the remaining disk.)

|| %center% %height=500px% http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/WimshurstSparkCloseup.gif||

The Wimshurst Machine (or "Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator") was developed by British inventor James Wimshurst over 1880-1883.  It was the most stable means to that date of accumulating static electric charge until it reached such a high voltage that it would discharge across the air gap between two conductors.  A crank handle rotates two insulating disks bearing a radial set of conductors in opposite directions by means of two belts (one with a twist).  A static charge on one disk induces an equal and opposite charge on the other, the potential between them being amplified as they are rotated away from each other, and charge being collecting metal combes facing each disk, these charges storing them in "Leydon Jars" - the precursor to the modern capacitor.  (The Leydon jars in this machine consist of jars, on the inside of which is metal wool, and on the outside a metal foil coating.  The insides of one jar is connected to one of the disks, and the other to the remaining disk.)

The Wimshurst Machine (or "Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator") was developed by British inventor James Wimshurst over 1880-1883.  It was the most stable means to that date of accumulating static electric charge until it reached such a high voltage that it would discharge across the air gap between two conductors.  A crank handle rotates two insulating disks in opposite directions by means of two belts (one with a twist).  A static charge on one disck induces an equal and opposite charge on the other and collecting metal brushes collect these charges storing them in "Leydon Jars" - the precursor to the modern capacitor.  (The Leydon jars in this machine consist of jars, on the inside of which is metal wool, and on the outside a metal foil coating.  The insides of one jar is connected to one of the disks, and the other to the remaining disk.)

(:title ~1910 Wimshurst Machine:)

(:title 1910 Wimshurst Machine:)

(:title 1910 Wimshurst Electrostatic Machine:)

The Wimshurst Machine (or "Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator") was developed by British inventor James Wimshurst over 1880-1883.  It was the most stable means to that date of accumulating static electric charge until it reached such a high voltage that it would discharge across the air gap between two conductors.  Two disks are rotated by a crank handle in opposite directions by means of two belts (one with a twist).  A static charge on one disc induces an equal and opposite charge on the other and collecting metal brushes collect these charges storing them in "Leydon Jars" - the precursor to the modern capacitor.  (The Leydon jars in this machine consist of jars, on the inside of which is metal wool, and on the outside a metal foil coating.  The insides of one jar is connected to one of the disks, and the other to the remaining disk.)