The Wimshurst Machine - AstroMedia
The classic high-voltage generator as a fully functional cardboard kit. Wimshurst machines, invented around 1880, were for a long time the only reliable sources of high voltage, as they were needed for X-ray apparatus, among other things. Today they can be found, artfully restored, in museums such as the Mathematical-Physical Salon in the Dresden Zwinger and some in school collections, where they facilitate important experiments on electrical charges.
Electrification machines of similar design were already used 200 years ago in fine salons, where society amused itself with experiments such as the "electric kiss": the gentleman who dared to give the charged lady a kiss received a blow in return.
Despite the up to 70,000 volts, even an unintentional touch of this Wimshurst machine is not dangerous: the capacity of the two Leiden bottles, i.e. the capacitors, is such that the strength of discharges remains far below the limits set by the authorities. A literally highly exciting pleasure for all those who have always wanted to really let it rip!
A detailed illustrated construction report can be found here.
Instructions for improving performance and demonstrating the effect of charges and high field strengths can be found in pdf form under Product Attachments.
| Aspiration scale: | Challenging |
|---|---|
| Time Line: | 3,0 Hours |
pre-cut and printed cardboard sheets
for assembly, 12 x DIN A4
with detailed building instructions
extensive accessories such as hard PVC discs, aluminium tubes, braid, clamps, threaded rod, wooden balls and much more.
Dimensions of the finished machine: approx. 24 x 19 x 28.5 cm (W/D/H)
Die Wimshurst-Maschine - Deutsch€49.90
€47.41
€44.91
€42.42