Leyden jar (broken)
Date1900-1930
Inventory Number1997-1-0503
ClassificationLeyden Jar
Subject
Maker
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
1896 - early 1930s
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions32.3 x 32.3 x 12 cm (12 11/16 x 12 11/16 x 4 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionA large glass jar with the bottom two third of its outer and inner surfaces covered in thin metal foil, probably lead. It has a wooden cap with a metal rod (probably plated brass) that ends in a ball outside the jar, and on the inside connects to a long chain made of the same metal.
The glass jar is broken above the metal foil.
The glass jar is broken above the metal foil.
Signedengraved in lid: Knott Boston
Inscribedon paint on side (paint is chipping off): Carnegie GC E740-A
FunctionLeyden jars were the earliest form of capacitor but were still common until the early twentieth century (such as this example). The jar accumulates electric charge when the metal foil outside is at a voltage different to the one of the brass rod and the foil inside of the jar that is connected to it with the chain.
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
Date: 1900-1930
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677c
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
Date: 1900-1930
Object number: 1997-1-1405
American
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677a
American
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677b
Ziegler Electric Company
Date: 1890-1930
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677d
