Santa Clara University

A Favorite Abode of Science: Santa Clara College and the Pursuit of Scientific Knowledge, 1851-1900   University Archives :: Exhibits :: A Favorite Abode of Science :: Electricity Electricity

«  Mixer Spark Discharge Device  » Electricity "Dr. Priestley has well observed, that electricity has one advantage over most other branches of natural philosophy; it furnishes matter of entertainment for all persons promiscuously, while it is also a subject of important specultation for the most philosophic minds. Neither the air-pump, nor the orrery, nor any experiments in hydrostatics, optics, or magnetism, etc. ever brought together so many, or such great concourses of people, as those of electricity have singly done." -George Adams, Jr. (1974) Quotation from "Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments" p. 188 Image courtesy of "Historical Physics Teaching Apparatus" http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus

  ©2003 - Permission to reproduce any portion of the exhibit A Favorite Abode of Science is strictly prohibited. Back to Image Index  »