'Thunder House'
'Thunder House'
- Measurements:
-
overall: 320 mm x 205 mm x 115 mm, 0.73 kg
- Materials:
- brass , mahogany (wood) , paper (fibre product) and lead (metal)
- Object Number:
- 1927-1445 Pt1
- type:
- thunder house
Thunder house by George Adams
- Made:
- 1771-1796 in London and Fleet Street
- maker:
- George Adams
Thunder House demonstration model made by George Adams, Fleet Street, London, 1771-1796.
This instrument was made by George Adams, instrument maker to King George III, to demonstrate the action of lightning conductors. An electric spark jumped between the two balls above the house, imitating a lightning strike. If the lightning conductor was in place the charge was earthed safely. However, a small piece of the conductor could be removed and replaced in the wrong position. If the house was struck again this piece would jump out, representing damage. James Ferguson, a lectuer on natural philosophy in the period, noted that this type of demonstration model was invented by Dr Lind in Edinburgh in order to test Benjamin Franklin's theories of lightning conductors.
Details
- Category:
- King George III
- Object Number:
- 1927-1445
- Materials:
- glass, brass, mahogany and sealing wax
- copyright:
- Unlinked Name
- credit:
- King's College, London
Parts
Original glass tube from 'Thunder House'
Original glass tube from 'Thunder House'
- Materials:
- glass , brass , mahogany and sealing wax
- Object Number:
- 1927-1445 Pt2
- type:
- tube
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
