electric spark discharger
Date: 1860-1880
Inventory Number: DW0012
Classification: Discharger
Subject:
Maker: Adolphe Gaiffe (1832 - 1887)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
39.9 × 25.9 × 14.6 cm (15 11/16 × 10 3/16 × 5 3/4 in.)
Material:
Description:
On a rectangular wooden base is a brass column supporting a hard rubber table on which are fixed two binding posts. The latter are equipped with ball-and-socket joints linked to pointed rods. At a 90-degree angle, these rods have an insulated hard rubber handle so they can be easily positioned to conduct experiments.
Signedon base: A. GAIFFE / FABRICANT d'INST'ts DE PRÉCISION, / 40 Rue St. André des Arts / PARIS
FunctionThis instrument is most likely an electric discharger, used for connecting a charged piece of apparatus (e.g., a Leyden jar) to a conductor, ground, or other piece of apparatus in order to discharge the former or transfer charge between objects.
It could, however, also have been used as a spark generator for medical purpose (Gaiffe was well-known for his electrotherapy instruments).
It could, however, also have been used as a spark generator for medical purpose (Gaiffe was well-known for his electrotherapy instruments).