Gold leaf electroscope

This gold leaf electroscope was made in the 19th century and used to demonstrate if electricity was present. It was a common form of electrical apparatus, used in the classroom demonstration until the 2nd half of the 20th century.

When connected to an electrically-charged Leyden jar, the electricity travels through the top of the glass container to where two pieces of gold leaf hang together. If they both become electrically-charged, they will repel each other, demonstrating that electricity is present. This gold leaf electroscope is unsigned.

Static electricity has been known since antiquity, but was not seriously investigated until the 17th century. Different forms of electrostatic generators were produced, by rotating glass globes or discs against leather pads. By the start of the 19th century disc electrical machines were popular in demonstration lectures. The electricity could be stored in Leyden jars, and to find out whether one had been charged, a device such as the gold leaf electroscope could be used.

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