Small Edwardian Wimshurst Machine In Perfect Working Order, Manufactured Voltane

A small, perfectly working Wimshurst machine from the Edwardian period, manufactured by Voltane. The Wimshurst influence machine, or electrostatic generator, was developed by British inventor James Wimshurst between 1880 and 1883. The machine sits on a cast iron base with two rotating ebonite discs, each with metal sectors on the front. Turning the crank delivers an electrostatic charge to the two glass Leyden jars, which are placed on brass plates on either side of the base. Once a sufficient charge has accumulated in the jars, a spark is struck between the two brass electrodes at the front of the machine. Although this machine has no markings other than some numbers stamped under the base, similar machines were marketed by the German Heinrich Bernhard Felix Wommelsdorf under the product name 'Womella' and also by an American company called Electro Importing Company, both active in the early 1900s. Please see the images for an example of Electro Importing Company advertisements from this period. James Wimshurst was Chief Inspector of Shipbuilding for Lloyds of London, but devoted his spare time to scientific experimentation. Renowned for his experiments in the field of electricity, he became a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1889 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1898.

Circa 1900-1920

Approximate Dimensions:
Height: 28 cm
Base: 24cm x 13 cm

Used but in very good condition.

Thank you for visiting my shop, with all my love, Ben