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An illustration of Thomson's replenisher.

Thomson's Replenisher

An illustration of Thomson's replenisher.

A diagram of Thomson's replenisher.

Diagram of Thomson's Replenisher

A diagram of Thomson's replenisher.

An illustration of an idiostatic gauge which determines the charge in the condenser.

Idiostatic Gauge

An illustration of an idiostatic gauge which determines the charge in the condenser.

An illustration of a thermoelectric battery.

Thermoelectric Battery

An illustration of a thermoelectric battery.

An illustration of Clamond's thermal battery; a thermal battery refers to the the electrolyte being solid and inactive at a normal ambient temperature and liquid and active at high temperatures.

Thermal Battery

An illustration of Clamond's thermal battery; a thermal battery refers to the the electrolyte being…

"Astatic galvanometer, an instrument which consists of a pair of similar needles magnetized, with their poles turned opposite ways, and stiffly connected at their centers, so that both will swing together." -Whitney, 1911

Astatic Galvanometer

"Astatic galvanometer, an instrument which consists of a pair of similar needles magnetized, with their…

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass harmonica. He formed both the first public lending library in America and first fire department in Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United…

"In the gold-leaf electroscope (invented by Bennet in 1787), two light strips of gold-leaf hang from the lower end of a metal rod, which passes vertically through an opening in the top of a glass bottle and expands above into a plate. If a piece of rubbed sealing-wax or other electrified body be brought near the plate, the gold leaves will repel each other and diverge ... A cylinder of wire gauze placed just inside the glass case, improves the action of the instrument." -Hazeltine, 1894

Gold Leaf Electroscope

"In the gold-leaf electroscope (invented by Bennet in 1787), two light strips of gold-leaf hang from…

The Wimshurst Machine is an electrostatic device to generate high voltages. "It consists of two circular glass plates, mounted on a common spindle, and capable of rotation in opposite directions with equal speeds. Each plate carries twelve or sixteen strips of thin sheet-metal, fixed radially at regular intervals apart ... At the extremities of the horizontal diameter of the plates the main conductors are placed, insulated on glass or vulcanite pillars." -Hazeltine, 1894

Wimshurst Machine

The Wimshurst Machine is an electrostatic device to generate high voltages. "It consists of two circular…

"We may compare currents by the quantities of a given electrolyte which they decompose in a given time. Faraday's voltameter is intended for this purpose. As compared with a galvanometer, the voltameter has the obvious disadvantage that it cannot measure a current at once, but only after the current has been flowing for some time." -Hazeltine, 1894

Faraday's Voltameter

"We may compare currents by the quantities of a given electrolyte which they decompose in a given time.…

"The electric generator makes electricity to be used for starting the engine and lighting the car." -Bodmer, 1917

Building an Automobile, Step 09: Electric Generator

"The electric generator makes electricity to be used for starting the engine and lighting the car."…

"The magneto gives an electric spark, which explodes the gasoline in the cylinders. The water pump keeps water flowing around the cylinders to prevent them from getting too hot. This water comes back to the pump through the radiator at the front of the car. Wind blows through the radiator and cools off the water. The tire pump on up-to-date cars is run by the engine. It does not pump except when the gears, which are shown in the picture, are pulled together." -Bodmer, 1917

Building an Automobile, Step 10: Magneto

"The magneto gives an electric spark, which explodes the gasoline in the cylinders. The water pump keeps…

An insulator is a material that resists the flow of electric current. An insulating material has atoms with tightly bonded valence electrons. These materials are used in parts of electrical equipment, as insulation. The term is also used to refer to insulating supports that attach electric power transmission wires to utility poles. Some materials such as glass, paper, or Teflon are very good electrical insulators.

Electric Wire Insulator

An insulator is a material that resists the flow of electric current. An insulating material has atoms…

A spark arrestor is a device intended to prevent combustible materials, usually sparks or other tiny flaming debris, from escaping into areas where they might start fires. They are most commonly used in conjunction with motor vehicles, as well as improving safety within fireplaces, and various electrical equipment.

A Conductor Featuring a Spark Arrestor

A spark arrestor is a device intended to prevent combustible materials, usually sparks or other tiny…

A rechargeable battery also known as a storage battery is a group of one or more secondary cells. Rechargeable batteries use electrochemical reactions that are electrically reversible. Rechargeable batteries can offer economic and environmental benefits compared to disposable batteries.

Storage Battery

A rechargeable battery also known as a storage battery is a group of one or more secondary cells. Rechargeable…

The hot air pumping engine is a technology that uses high amplitude sound waves in a pressurized gas to pump heat from one place to another, or uses a heat temperature difference to induce sound which can be converted to electricity with high efficiency.

Hot Air Pumping Engine

The hot air pumping engine is a technology that uses high amplitude sound waves in a pressurized gas…

Wave motors were machines designed and built in the late 19th and early 20th century to harness the power of wave or tidal energy. The earliest wave motors were not intended for the creation of electricity. Prior to 1880, wave motors were designed to operate non electrically to power vehicles, mills, flush sewers, clean streets and conserve fresh water

Wave Motor

Wave motors were machines designed and built in the late 19th and early 20th century to harness the…

A furnace is a device used for heating. The furnace was most likely used for the manufacturing of ceramic objects. The heat energy used to fuel a furnace may be supplied directly by fuel combustion, by electricity such as the electric arc furnace, or through induction heating in induction furnaces.

Front for Hot Air Furnace

A furnace is a device used for heating. The furnace was most likely used for the manufacturing of ceramic…

An electric clock is a clock that is powered by electricity instead of powered manually or by other sources of energy, specifically in order to wind the mainspring or to drive the pendulum or oscillator.

Electric Energy Clock

An electric clock is a clock that is powered by electricity instead of powered manually or by other…

In electricity generation, an electrical generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by a motor; motors and generators have many similarities. A generator forces electric charges to move through an external electrical circuit, but it does not create electricity or charge, which is already present in the wire of its windings

Dynamo Electric Machine

In electricity generation, an electrical generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical…

A lamp is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light from electricity. These components usually have a base of ceramic, metal, glass or plastic, which makes an electrical connection in the socket of a light fixture.

Electric Lamp

A lamp is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light…

Gas lighting refers to the production of light from a gaseous fuel. Before electricity became sufficiently widespread and economical to allow for general public use, gas was the most popular means of lighting in cities and suburbs. Early gas lights had to be lit manually, but soon gas lights could light themselves.

Lamp Having Regenerative Gas Burner

Gas lighting refers to the production of light from a gaseous fuel. Before electricity became sufficiently…

A series of general electrical symbols commonly used in mechanical drawing.

Electrical Symbols

A series of general electrical symbols commonly used in mechanical drawing.

The goal of coal mining is to economically remove coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s is widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production.

Mining Machine

The goal of coal mining is to economically remove coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy…

This device is similar to a water mill. A water mill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping. A water mill that generates electricity is usually called a hydroelectric plant.

Device for Lifting Water

This device is similar to a water mill. A water mill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine…

A lamp is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light from electricity. These components usually have a base of ceramic, metal, glass or plastic, which makes an electrical connection in the socket of a light fixture. This connection may be made with a screw-thread base, two metal pins, 2 metal caps or a bayonet cap.

Light Fixture

A lamp is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light…

A lamp is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light from electricity. These components usually have a base of ceramic, metal, glass or plastic, which makes an electrical connection in the socket of a light fixture.

Device for Conducting Electricity Into Lamps

A lamp is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light…

A furnace is a device used for heating, mostly for manufacturing. Heat energy usually comes from fuel combustion, or electricity.

Arch Plate for Furnace

A furnace is a device used for heating, mostly for manufacturing. Heat energy usually comes from fuel…

A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.

Circuit Breaker

A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit…

An apparatus in which electricity or a fuel is used to furnish heat, as for cooking or warmth.

Small Kitchen Stove

An apparatus in which electricity or a fuel is used to furnish heat, as for cooking or warmth.

A De Laval steam turbine connected to a generator. The turbine generates electricity by turning the shaft. The turbine is operates by providing steam into the vanes.

De Laval Steam Turbine Connected to Generator

A De Laval steam turbine connected to a generator. The turbine generates electricity by turning the…

A cross sectional view of the Pearsons turbine for generating electricity. The turbines, located in P are turned by steam, generating electricity.

Pearsons Turbine for Electricity Generator

A cross sectional view of the Pearsons turbine for generating electricity. The turbines, located in…

An illustration of a Corliss steam engine to generate 5000 kW of electricity. The turbines to create electricity is located on the right hand side and the large circular casing in the left. The steam enters the system at a high pressure to turn the turbines.

5000 kW Corliss and Curtis Steam Engine for Electric Generation

An illustration of a Corliss steam engine to generate 5000 kW of electricity. The turbines to create…

A cross sectional view of Rateau electric generator turbine by Western Electric Company. Steam is used to turn the turbine to generate electricity. The turbine rotates at 1500 revolutions per minute and operates at 1500 horsepower.

Cross Section View of Rateau Turbine Electric Generator by Western Electric Company

A cross sectional view of Rateau electric generator turbine by Western Electric Company. Steam is used…

An illustration of 9000 kilowatts capacity vertical Curtis turbine. Each turbines are located between the stationary nozzles. The steam enters from the steam chest into the moving gears, then to stationary blades. Electricity is then generated at the movable blades.

9000 Kilowatts Vertical Curtis Turbine

An illustration of 9000 kilowatts capacity vertical Curtis turbine. Each turbines are located between…

A two stage condensing Terry turbine from a steam engine. The steam, entering from the top, rotates the two turbines in the casing to generate electricity.

Cross Sectional View of Two Stage Condensing Terry Steam Engine Turbine

A two stage condensing Terry turbine from a steam engine. The steam, entering from the top, rotates…

A cross sectional view of Westinghouse Parsons turbine. Steam enters at V and exits at E, turning the turbines, R. The turbines turns the shaft, B, to produce energy to produce electricity. During this process, the steam, at high pressure, is expanded to a lower pressure.

Westinghouse Parsons Turbine Viewed Cross Sectionally

A cross sectional view of Westinghouse Parsons turbine. Steam enters at V and exits at E, turning the…

Any of various devices furnishing artificial light, as by electricity or gas. Cf. fluorescent lamp, incandescent lamp.

Incandescent Lamp

Any of various devices furnishing artificial light, as by electricity or gas. Cf. fluorescent lamp,…

An engine is a machine that produces mechanical force and motion from another form of energy (e.g. a fuel source, compressed air, or electricity).

Rotary Engine

An engine is a machine that produces mechanical force and motion from another form of energy (e.g. a…

An illustration of an arc electric lamp or an arc lamp which produces light by an electric arc.

Arc Electric Lamp

An illustration of an arc electric lamp or an arc lamp which produces light by an electric arc.

A streetcar which receives its power from overhead electric lines. Also, the name of the pole-like device used to collect and transfer electricity from the overhead lines into the streetcar itself.

Electric Trolley

A streetcar which receives its power from overhead electric lines. Also, the name of the pole-like device…

A form of long-distance communication, which used electricity to send and receive messages.

Morse's First Telegraph Instrument

A form of long-distance communication, which used electricity to send and receive messages.

A meter used to test batteries.

Ammeter

A meter used to test batteries.

An Edison fuse plug and casing for switchboard use.

fuse plug and casing

An Edison fuse plug and casing for switchboard use.

A two pole front connected knife switch fused at the handle end.

knife switch

A two pole front connected knife switch fused at the handle end.

A three pole rear connected knife switch fused on the hinge end.

knife switch

A three pole rear connected knife switch fused on the hinge end.

Showing the construction of a quick break knife switch.

knife switch

Showing the construction of a quick break knife switch.

An example of electricity: early galvanometer.

Electricity

An example of electricity: early galvanometer.