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Lane electrometer on Leyden jar
    • Setting:
      Room XVIII
    • Inventor:
      Timothy Lane
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      late 18th cent.
    • Materials:
      mahogany, brass, glass, tin foil
    • Dimensions:
      total height 315 mm, leyden jar 230x115 mm
    • Inventory:
      446
    • Lane electrometer on Leyden jar (Inv. 446)

Simple Lane discharging electrometer fitted to the lid of a Leyden jar to regulate its discharge. The spark gap between the electrode of the electrometer and that of the Leyden jar gives an indication of the quantity of electricity collected in the jar. The instrument was often used in electrical therapies. In such cases, it was also called "bottiglia medica" (medical bottle). Provenance: Lorraine collections.