Volta Canisters
In the 1770s, Italian physicist Alessandro Volta became interested in the characteristics of swamp gases. In order to test flammability he invented his cannon, also called a eudiometer. He filled the canon with methane gas or a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, placing a cork in the top to keep the gas from escaping. A metal rod topped tipped with a brass ball was inserted at the bottom to serve as a spark plug.
If the gas were flammable and the proportions right, the gas would explode when ignited by a spark from a Leyden jar. Volta's early cannons reportedly were capable of sending a lead ball twenty feet with enough strength to dent a wooden board. While they were sometimes fashioned as pistols, these devices were never intended as weapons and were hardly as practical or effective as gunpowder weapons which where common at the time. They did, however, make for impressive demonstrations, and led to the invention of the internal combustion engine. |
Volta Pistol, unsigned. c. 19th century
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Left to right:
a) Philosophical instrument made of the same painted tin and multi-colored striped barrel which fits into the main tin container. Unknown what this device was used to demonstrate but likely hydrostatics. Measures 7-1/2" in height. b) Volta's canister made of above materials. Measures 4-14" in height. c) Volta Canister with bullseye made of polychromed and variously painted tin, cork, glass and brass. Measures 7-1/2" high and bullseye circle is 3-1/2" diameter. |