Comments on: High-voltage Spark Generator http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/11/04/high-voltage-spark-generator/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:48:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Firebrand38 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/11/04/high-voltage-spark-generator/#comment-686469 Firebrand38 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:52:33 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/11/04/high-voltage-spark-generator/#comment-686469 No, in it's original incarnation it's known as a Toepler-Holtz machine. A friction operated influence machine was invented by Holtz in 1865, and different versions invented by Wilhelm Holtz between 1864 and 1880. In 1880 Robert Voss claimed to combine their work and thus produced the Toepler-Holz machine. James Wimshurst announced his electrostatic generator in 1883. All the machines are very similar and I hear that trying to distinguish between a machine built by Toepler, Holtz or Voss is very difficult. Just wanted to set the record straight. No, in it’s original incarnation it’s known as a Toepler-Holtz machine. A friction operated influence machine was invented by Holtz in 1865, and different versions invented by Wilhelm Holtz between 1864 and 1880. In 1880 Robert Voss claimed to combine their work and thus produced the Toepler-Holz machine. James Wimshurst announced his electrostatic generator in 1883. All the machines are very similar and I hear that trying to distinguish between a machine built by Toepler, Holtz or Voss is very difficult. Just wanted to set the record straight.

]]> By: mrchurchill109 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/11/04/high-voltage-spark-generator/#comment-680697 mrchurchill109 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:04:09 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/11/04/high-voltage-spark-generator/#comment-680697 In its original incarnation this is known as a Wimhurst machine. Not sure I like the design of this one - it's much better if both of the discs rotate in opposite direction as it builds up a MUCH better static charge. I got whacked across the room by one of these, once...not a fun experience. Anyone who wants to work with one of these beware - the RF output from a device like this (which is really a spark transmitter if you think of it) will royally mess up broadcast signals and can even mess up computers and related digital devices from induced currents. I took great pleasure in messing up the neighbors' television watching with my own version of this when I was young and stupid...:) Alan In its original incarnation this is known as a Wimhurst machine. Not sure I like the design of this one - it’s much better if both of the discs rotate in opposite direction as it builds up a MUCH better static charge.

I got whacked across the room by one of these, once…not a fun experience.

Anyone who wants to work with one of these beware - the RF output from a device like this (which is really a spark transmitter if you think of it) will royally mess up broadcast signals and can even mess up computers and related digital devices from induced currents.

I took great pleasure in messing up the neighbors’ television watching with my own version of this when I was young and stupid…:)

Alan

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