Eli Whitney Museum

Eli Whitney was born 250 years ago. That year, a Swede, Johan Carl Wilcke, invented the Electrophorous, a simple device for collecting static charges. Scientists in Europe and America (Benjamin Franklin) were constructing new ways to explore electricity at work.

Recreate the earliest devices to collect, store and discharge safe electric sparks. Reproduce classic experiments: a pulsing motor, Franklin's motor, and flying foil. Invent your own devices. Build a box to organize and take these experiments home.

In the afternoon, take on the bigger sparks of the Museum's Van de Graaff Generator. Learn classic experiments that are best understood with time for playful trial and error.