probably made in London

Static electricity set

This is a detail of a travelling static electricity set made around 1790, probably by W. & S. Jones, scientific instrument makers based in London. Such sets remained popular throughout the 19th century for domestic or public instruction and entertainment.

The detail shows the trade card inside the lid which lists the large number of accessories in the set, including a 'thunder house', a 'magic picture' and a 'sett of bells'.

For the general public, the electrostatic generator produced a variety of spectacular tricks for domestic entertainment, and kits for travelling lecturers were produced from the 1790s by firms such as W. & S. Jones of London, who included them in their price lists.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-190-004-743-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1986.L.6
Date:	1828 Around 1790
Material:
Dimensions:
What:	Static electricity set, travelling
Subject:
Who:	W. and S. Jones, London (Maker)
Where:	England, London
Event:
Description:	Travelling static electricity set, by W. and S. Jones of London, c. 1790
References:	For trade cards and scientific instruments, see M.A. Crawforth, 'Evidence from Trade Cards for the Scientific Instrument Industry', Annals of Science 42 (1985), 453-544. George Adams, Essay on Electricity, London 1799, 2nd edition edited by William Jones. Trade catalogue for W. & S. Jones, London, 1793, p.6.
Translations:
Related Records: