Spark discharge figure
Date
1892
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (drawing): 86mm
width (drawing): 106mm
width (drawing): 106mm
Subject
Description
Diagram created by sparking from Lord Armstrong’s machine for producing high tension electricity. These patterns were made in a powder of magnesium oxide (‘calcined magnesia’) and carbon black. The images were then photographed and drawings produced from them.
The author states in his paper that: ‘No.10 was produced with battery discharges in the same manner as No.6, but with a short wet string introduced to soften the discharge. This had the effect of greatly increasing the radiations both from the positive and negative wires, while it reduced the development of the circular form’.
Illustration from the manuscript version of the paper ‘On a multiple induction machine for producing high tension electricity, and on some remarkable results obtained with it’, by Lord Armstrong, Proceedings of the Royal Society, vol.52 (1892), pp.176-191. Printed as figure 10 plate 7 in the published paper.
The image is inscribed below in ink: ‘No.X’ and in pencil ‘1/2’. Imprint details verso.
William George Armstrong, Baron Armstrong (1810-1900) armaments manufacturer and industrialist was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1846.
The author states in his paper that: ‘No.10 was produced with battery discharges in the same manner as No.6, but with a short wet string introduced to soften the discharge. This had the effect of greatly increasing the radiations both from the positive and negative wires, while it reduced the development of the circular form’.
Illustration from the manuscript version of the paper ‘On a multiple induction machine for producing high tension electricity, and on some remarkable results obtained with it’, by Lord Armstrong, Proceedings of the Royal Society, vol.52 (1892), pp.176-191. Printed as figure 10 plate 7 in the published paper.
The image is inscribed below in ink: ‘No.X’ and in pencil ‘1/2’. Imprint details verso.
William George Armstrong, Baron Armstrong (1810-1900) armaments manufacturer and industrialist was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1846.
Associated place