Globe Electrical Machine

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This globe electrical machine (pictured here in its wooden travelling case) was used to generate electrostatic friction. It was made around 1790 by John King, a scientific instrument maker based in Aberdeen. Machines of this sort were used by travelling teachers and scientific lecturers.

The machine is clamped to a table-edge and the handle is turned, rotating the glass globe against the leather pad and building up a static electrical charge.

John King served an apprenticeship as a watchmaker before becoming assistant and technician to Patrick Copland (1748-1822), professor of natural philosophy at Marischal College at the University of Aberdeen.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-195-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1992.40
• Date: 1780s
  Around 1790
  
• Material: Inscription: John King [signature]
  
• Dimensions: 600 mm H x 540 mm x 300 mm
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: John King, Aberdeen (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen
  
• Event:
• Description: Globe electrical machine signed by John King, Aberdeen, 1780s
  
• References:
  • Bryden, D.J. Scottish Scientific Instrument Makers 1660-1900. Edinburgh, 1972. p 10 
  • 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 152-3 
  • For other globe electrical machines, see W.D. Hackmann, 'Electricity from Glass' (Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands, 1978) pp 120-1 
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