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From the collection iron filings on a blue background
History of science

Michael Faraday's iron filings

Faraday created a number of iron filing diagrams in 1851 to demonstrate magnetic lines of force.

Michael Faraday's iron filings Read more
Blog A painting of the exterior of the Royal Institution building
History of science

Timeline of the Ri

Explore the history of the Ri with this interactive timeline.

Timeline of the Ri Read more
From the collection The blue sky apparatus
History of science

John Tyndall's blue sky apparatus

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? The answer was first discovered over 150 years ago right here at the Royal

John Tyndall's blue sky apparatus Read more
From the collection Detail of Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile
History of science

Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile

The first electrical battery, invented by Volta in 1800 in Genoa, Italy. This voltaic pile, made before 1813, was presented to

Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile Read more
From the collection Two views of James Dewar's vacuum flask - one from straight on, one from above
History of science

James Dewar's vacuum flask

Dewar’s first-ever vacuum flask. Created in 1892 to hold liquefied gases at extremely low temperatures, this object is the

James Dewar's vacuum flask Read more
From the collection Gold colloids in a glass container
History of science

Michael Faraday's gold colloids

These liquids are some of the first examples of metallic gold colloids, made by Michael Faraday over 150 years ago.

Michael Faraday's gold colloids Read more
From the collection A composite of Humphry Davy's miners' safety lamp, from three different angles
History of science

Humphry Davy's miners' safety lamp

The first ever prototype of Davy’s miner’s safety lamp. Created in 1815, it prevented the methane gas present in the depths of

Humphry Davy's miners' safety lamp Read more
From the collection Electric magnetic rotation apparatus
History of science

Michael Faraday's electric magnetic rotation apparatus (motor)

The first surviving Faraday apparatus, dating from 1822, demonstrates his work in magnetic rotation. Faraday used this mercury

Michael Faraday's electric magnetic rotation apparatus (motor) Read more
From the collection Michael Faraday's generator
History of science

Michael Faraday's generator

Faraday created the first transformer in August 1831. A few months later he designed and made this simple piece of apparatus

Michael Faraday's generator Read more
From the collection iron ring covered in copper wires and cotton cloth
History of science

Michael Faraday's ring-coil apparatus

Made by Faraday in his laboratory in the basement of the Royal Institution in August 1831, thus creating the first ever electric

Michael Faraday's ring-coil apparatus Read more

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