Electrical machine

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This early 'frictional electrical machine' was made around 1820, probably by William Lunan, a watchmaker based in Aberdeen between around 1824 and 1833.

Static electricity is generated by the leather pad pressing against the revolving glass globe, which is turned by turning the handle.

In classical antiquity, the Greeks were aware that rubbed amber attracted small particles, and the word 'electricity' comes from the Greek for amber. In the early 18th century, apparatus was designed which evolved into the frictional electrical machine.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-663-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1902.29.7
• Date: Around 1820
  c. 1820
  
• Material:
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Magnetism and Electricity (Departmental Classification)
  8. ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Static (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: William Lunan, Aberdeen (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen
  
• Event:
• Description: Old electrical machine with rotating globe, probably by William Lunan, Aberdeen, c. 1820
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C., Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989, pp 60, 152-3 
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