Social Studies Connection

Ever since the 17th century, scientists have been fascinated with the topic of static electricity. It has high voltage (which is responsible for visible sparks) but has low current, making it safe. This and it's abundance in every-day life made it an ideal topic for scientists during this time to study. One of the first famous static electricity machine was created by Isaac Newton in 1690. It used an insulated glass sphere and a piece of cloth to create static electricity through rubbing. Over the next century, many famous scientists created similar electrostatic generators and used them in science, medicine, and entertainment.

The Wimshurst machine was the final edition in a long line of devices that tried to reliably produce static electricity. Created in 1890 by James Wimshurst, It was unique in that it used induction to create a charge. After having initial problems with the having a low amount of charge, he attached two Leyden jars, which are early capacitors.

Isaac Newton

James Wimshurst