Electroscope, ca. 1830

Electroscope, ca. 1830
Glass and metal.
Measurements: 61 x 36 x 25 cm.

Bell or sheet electroscope, a scientific instrument designed to detect the presence and sign of an electric charge on a body. It dates from approximately 1830, which places it in a period of intense experimentation and development in the field of electricity, after the fundamental works of figures such as Coulomb, Volta and Faraday. The instrument consists of a thick, transparent glass main vessel, cylindrical in shape with a neck that tapers towards the top. This "glass bell" acts as a protective barrier against drafts and moisture that could affect the sensitivity of the apparatus, as well as serving as a vessel to maintain a controlled environment. At the top, the glass neck is sealed by a metal plug that incorporates a conductive rod extending into the vessel.