Twelve-plate (30-inch diameter) Wimshurst machine in glass case

Made:: 1888

maker:: James Wimshurst

Twelve-plate (30-inch diameter) Wimshurst machine in glass case, constructed by James Wimshurst himself and demonstrated at his public lecture at the Royal Institution in 1888. This was the largest multiple-plate machine he built, and produced sparks almost 14 inches long. See note.

Details

Category:: Electricity and Magnetism

Object Number:: 1903-73

type:: plate

credit:: H.C. Wimshurst

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Parts

Twelve plate 30" Wimshurst machine

Twelve plate 30" Wimshurst machine in glass case

Measurements:: overall: 2160 mm x 1575 mm x 776 mm,

Object Number:: 1903-73 Pt1

type:: twelve plate 30" wimshurst machine

Seven loose parts from Wimhurst's

Seven loose parts from Wimhurst's own 12-plate Wimshurst machine: 2 long electrodes, each with 1 bell-shaped and 1 ball-shaped insulator, 1 ball electrode mounted on handle, 1 ball insulator, 1 cap, 1 broken cord, and 1 broken tubular glass insulator (broken off top of machine's case in a 1931-32 move).