How did we first discover electricity? In this video, we build the early device that first helped us harness and understand this powerful force: the electrostatic generator! | How To Make Everything

Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator: this device uses two counter rotating disks of metal pads to separate charge via induction. The repulsion felt by electrons as the triangle plates pass by each other pushes charge to flow across two conducting rods, one on each side, which allows the charge to stack up. This excess charge is then stored in old fashioned cylindrical capacitors (Leyden Jars) until the resulting 30,000 Volts is achieved to jump the air gap. This device goes back to 1883- invented