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"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…

"The galvanometer consists of two distinct coils of wire, each having the same resistance, and having equal magnetic effects upon the needle. These coils C and C' are wound in opposite directions, as shown, and one end of each is joined to the same terminal on the frame of the galvanometer; the other ends are joined to separate terminals also situated on the frame." (Britannica, 1891)

Differential Galvanometer

"The galvanometer consists of two distinct coils of wire, each having the same resistance, and having…

"Secure the two ends of the wire by double-pointed tacks. Place a small pocket compass upon the block thus wound, and turn the block until the coils of wire are parallel to the needle when the circuit is open. Then pass a current through the coil. The deflection of the needle is much stronger than before, although, owing to the weakening of the cell, the deflection falls off after a time." — Avery, 1895

Galvanoscope

"Secure the two ends of the wire by double-pointed tacks. Place a small pocket compass upon the block…

A galvanoscope in a circuit.

Galvanoscope in circuit

A galvanoscope in a circuit.

Galvanometer designed by Professor Maxwell.

Galvonometer

Galvanometer designed by Professor Maxwell.

"Electric gas lighting is often effected by sparks from the interrupted circuit of a voltaic battery, in which circuit is a 'kicking coil,' or by sparks from the secondary of an induction coil, or from a machine for the generation of static electricity." — Avery, 1895

Electric gas light

"Electric gas lighting is often effected by sparks from the interrupted circuit of a voltaic battery,…

That part of a gas fixture where the gas is burned as it escapes from one or more minute orifices.

Gas-burner

That part of a gas fixture where the gas is burned as it escapes from one or more minute orifices.

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.

Gramme's small electric light machine, with jamin magnets.

Gramme's Light Machine

Gramme's small electric light machine, with jamin magnets.

"The electric resistance of the porous cup employed in the Daniel cell, and the local action produced by the material of which is it composed, led to the invention of similar cells in which it is dispensed with, the gravity cell." --Atkinson 1903

Gravity Cell

"The electric resistance of the porous cup employed in the Daniel cell, and the local action produced…

Hand attaching wire to an Edison light bulb.

Hand and light bulb

Hand attaching wire to an Edison light bulb.

"The electrometer of Henley, sometimes called Henley's quadrant Henley electrometer, may be taken as the type of single pendulum electroscopes. It consists essentially of a pendulum A hinged to meter a verticle support C, which carries a vertical graduated semicircle B, by means of which the deviation of A from the vertical can be indicating the state of electrification of the prime conductors of electric machines. The stem is screwed into the conductor, and the divergence of the pendulum indicated roughly the charge." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Henleys Electrometer

"The electrometer of Henley, sometimes called Henley's quadrant Henley electrometer, may be taken as…

Induction motor.

Induction Motor

Induction motor.

"Machine used to generate electricity by induction using transformed kinetic energy from the crank." -Avery 1895

Induction Machine

"Machine used to generate electricity by induction using transformed kinetic energy from the crank."…

"The most common and, for many purposes, the most convenient form of condenser is the Leyden jar. This consists of a glass jar, coated within and without for about two-thirds its height with tinfoil, and a metallic rod that communicates by means of a small chain with the inner coat, and terminates above in a knob or a disk." — Avery, 1895

Leyden Jar

"The most common and, for many purposes, the most convenient form of condenser is the Leyden jar. This…

"The connexions of all these six coils are such that when a current is passed through the whole of the coils in series, forces of attraction and repulsion are brought into existence which tend to force one movable coil upwards and the other movable coil downwards." —Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Connexions of Kelvin Ampere Balance

"The connexions of all these six coils are such that when a current is passed through the whole of the…

"The upper edge of the shelf on which the weights slide is graduated into equal divisions, and the weight is provided with a sharp tongue of metal in order that its posistion on the shelf may be accurately determined." —Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Slider of Kelvin Ampere Balance

"The upper edge of the shelf on which the weights slide is graduated into equal divisions, and the weight…

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 electric arc lamp by Brush Electric Company. Arc lamps produce light by an electric or voltaic arc.

Arc Lamp

An electric arc lamp by Brush Electric Company. Arc lamps produce light by an electric or voltaic arc.

An electric arc lamp by Brush Electric Company. Arc lamps produce light by an electric or voltaic arc.

Arc Lamp

An electric arc lamp by Brush Electric Company. Arc lamps produce light by an electric or voltaic arc.

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 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…

The incandescent lamp or globe lamp, showing carbon filament at a.

Incandescent Lamp

The incandescent lamp or globe lamp, showing carbon filament at a.

"D is a Leyden jar, fastened to a stand in such a way that its outer armature can be insulated or connected to earth at will. The inner armature is in good metallic connection with the knob C. A horizontal metal piece A is mounted on a glass pillar, and carries another knob, which can be set at any required distance from C by means of a screw and graduation. The piece A is connected with the outer armature of the jar by a thin wire B contained in a glass tube." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Lanes Jar

"D is a Leyden jar, fastened to a stand in such a way that its outer armature can be insulated or connected…

"...consists of a glass jar coated inside and outside with tinfoil, or some other thin sheet metal, except three or four inches at top, lef uncoated for insulation between the coated surfaces. This jar is closed with an insulating cover, through which a brass rod extends to the inside coating, and terminates above in a ball." -Atkinson 1903

Leyden Jar

"...consists of a glass jar coated inside and outside with tinfoil, or some other thin sheet metal,…

"The essential parts of an ordinary Wimshurst machine, are two ordinary drums. On each plate are fixed a large number of strips of conducting material which are equal in size and are equally spaced, radially if on a plate, and circumferentially if on a drum." — Hawkins, 1917

Wimshurst Electric Machine

"The essential parts of an ordinary Wimshurst machine, are two ordinary drums. On each plate are fixed…

"Salient pole, bipolar field magnet with single coil wound around the yoke." — Hawkins, 1917

Bipolar field magnet

"Salient pole, bipolar field magnet with single coil wound around the yoke." — Hawkins, 1917

"Consequent pole bipolar field magnet with two coils on the core." — Hawkins, 1917

Bipolar field magnet

"Consequent pole bipolar field magnet with two coils on the core." — Hawkins, 1917

"In a magneto the field magnets are permanently magnetized. The strength of the magnet field of a magneto is constant while that of a dynamo varies with the output." — Hawkins, 1917

Magneto

"In a magneto the field magnets are permanently magnetized. The strength of the magnet field of a magneto…

"The Metre Bridge is employed - a piece of apparatus which is illustrated [here]. It consists of a wooden base, upon the upper face of which is mounted a metallic rectangle; three sides of this rectangle are formed by a broad substantial copper band - having a negligible resistance - and the fourth consists of a platinum silver wire w w joining the copper blocks P and p. This wire is exactly one meter long, and over it slides a key K, which when depressed makes contact by means of a platinum knife-edge with the wire; the exact point on the wire at which this contact is made is indicated by an arrow-head on the key, which slides against a scale, as shown." (Britannica, 1891)

Metre Bridge

"The Metre Bridge is employed - a piece of apparatus which is illustrated [here]. It consists of a wooden…

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.

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…

"Bring the two ends of the wire into contact, and thus close the circuit. The needle instantly flies around as though it was trying to place itself at right angles to the wire. Break the circuit, and the needle swings back to its north and south position. Twist the wires together, and bend the conductor into a loop so that the current passes above the needle in one direction and beneath the needle in the other direction. The deflection of the needle will be greater than before." — Avery, 1895

Needle, compass

"Bring the two ends of the wire into contact, and thus close the circuit. The needle instantly flies…

"Section of Thomson's Portable Electrometer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Portable Electrometer

"Section of Thomson's Portable Electrometer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

A potentiometer instrument for measuring the potential (or voltage) in a circuit taps off a fraction of a known voltage from a resistive slide wire and compares it with the unknown voltage by means of a galvanometer. The sliding tap of the potentiometer is adjusted and the galvanometer briefly connected to both the sliding tap and the unknown potential; the deflection of the galvanometer is observed and the sliding tap adjusted until the galvanometer no longer deflects. At that point the galvanometer draws no current from the unknown source, and the magnitude of voltage can be calculated from the position of the sliding contact. This null balance method is a fundamental technique of electrical metrology.

Potentiometer

A potentiometer instrument for measuring the potential (or voltage) in a circuit taps off a fraction…

"The push-button...is well known in connection with the electric bell: a brass spring which forms part of the circuit closing the opening when pressed by an insulating button of hard-rubber, porcelain, or fiber,—the whole inclosed in a cap made in a great variety of ornamental designs." -Atkinson 1903

Push Button

"The push-button...is well known in connection with the electric bell: a brass spring which forms part…

"Elevation and section of Thomson's Quadrant Electrometer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Quadrant Electrometer

"Elevation and section of Thomson's Quadrant Electrometer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

"This instrument consists of a glass tube of narrow bore, 16 to 17 inches long, to which is blown a glass globe 3 to 4 inches in diameter. This tube is partially filled with some colored fluid which confines the air in the flobe, a wide reservoir at the other end of the tube allows the fluid to accumulate without sensible change of level. The stand of the instrument consists of two pieces hinged together, so that the tube can be laced at a small inclination to the horizon." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Reibungselectricitat

"This instrument consists of a glass tube of narrow bore, 16 to 17 inches long, to which is blown a…

A diagram of Thomson's replenisher.

Diagram of Thomson's Replenisher

A diagram of Thomson's replenisher.

An illustration of Thomson's replenisher.

Thomson's Replenisher

An illustration of Thomson's replenisher.

A hydrometer used to measure the amount of salt in any given solution.

Salinometer

A hydrometer used to measure the amount of salt in any given solution.

a is called the cathode, b is a plate of metal mounted inside the tube and in the path of the rays; d is the portion of the glass protected from the cathode rays by the screen.

Shadow Tube

a is called the cathode, b is a plate of metal mounted inside the tube and in the path of the rays;…

"A shunt, in electricity, is a conductor placed between two points in closed circuit, to divert or shunt part of the current."—Finley, 1917

Shunt

"A shunt, in electricity, is a conductor placed between two points in closed circuit, to divert or shunt…

"The sine electrometer of August, is a modification of the single pendulum electroscope, analogous in principle to Pouillet's sine compass. A is a pendulum suspended by two threads to secure motion in one plane; B is a ball fixd to the case, and connected with a suitable electrode." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Sine Electrometer

"The sine electrometer of August, is a modification of the single pendulum electroscope, analogous in…

A hand holding a solenoid.

Solenoid

A hand holding a solenoid.

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…

"Method of winding magnet spool so that the two ends of the coil will come to the outside. This method has also been used for induction coils, where it is desirable to keep the ends of the wire away from the core and primary coil." — Hawkins, 1917

Magnetic spool

"Method of winding magnet spool so that the two ends of the coil will come to the outside. This method…

"Method of using a grounded metallic comb near the driving belt to relieve the belt of static charges." —Croft 1920

Using a Grounded Metallic Comb to Reduce Static Charge, Front and Side View

"Method of using a grounded metallic comb near the driving belt to relieve the belt of static charges."…

"Method of using a grounded metallic comb near the driving belt to relieve the belt of static charges." —Croft 1920

Using a Grounded Metallic Comb to Reduce Static Charge, Perspective View

"Method of using a grounded metallic comb near the driving belt to relieve the belt of static charges."…

A hand with bar demonstrating the attractive properties of static electricity.

Demonstration of Static Electricity

A hand with bar demonstrating the attractive properties of static electricity.

A hand with a rod, demonstrating the attractive properties of static electricity.

Demonstration of Static Electricity

A hand with a rod, demonstrating the attractive properties of static electricity.

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

Electrical Symbols

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

A man operating an electro-magnetic telegraph.

Telegraph

A man operating an electro-magnetic telegraph.

"A very convenient form of Thomson's galvanometer, the only specimen of its kind we have seen. The peculiarity of its construction consists in the connection between the scale and the galvanometer, which saves much trouble in adjusting the instrument." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Thomsons Galvonometer

"A very convenient form of Thomson's galvanometer, the only specimen of its kind we have seen. The peculiarity…

"ABCD is a cylinder of glass 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot high. This cylinder is closed by a glass lid pierced centrically by two openings, each about 20 lines wide. Into the middle opening is cemented a glass tube 2 feet high, to the upper end of which is fitted a torsion head; the separate parts of the head are shown larger at the side of the figure. H is a collar cemented to the glass tube; MO a metal disc, divided on the edge into 360 degrees; this disc is fastened to a tube N, which slips into the collar H. K is a button whose neck turns easily in a hole in MO; to the lower part of the button is fastened a small clamp, which seizes the wire of the balance. I is an arm with a small projecting piece which slips over the edge of the disc MO." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Torsion Balance

"ABCD is a cylinder of glass 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot high. This cylinder is closed by a glass…

"Tuberose (Polianthus) is a genus of plants of the natural order Liliaceæ. The plant is in high esteem for the beauty and fragrance of its flowers, the odor of which is most powerful after sunset. The fading flowers emit, in certain states of the atmosphere, an electric light and sparks. The native country of the tuberose is Mexico. They are very extensively grown by American and British florists, who, by planting the roots successionally, manage to keep up a supply of flowers at all seasons. There are several varieties."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Double Tuberose

"Tuberose (Polianthus) is a genus of plants of the natural order Liliaceæ. The plant is in high…

"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 water in resovoirs A and B stands at different heights. As long as this difference of level is maintained, water from B will flow through the pipe R to A. If by means of a pump P the level in B be kept constant, flow through R will also be maintained. Here, by means f the work expended on the pump, the level in the resovoir is kept constant; and in the corresponding case of the electric current...a constant difference of potential is maintanied." -Hawkins, 1917

Analogy of Water Flow to Electric Current

"The water in resovoirs A and B stands at different heights. As long as this difference of level is…