Wimshurst's Influence Machine

The Wimshurst machine is still frequently seen in school science labs. Two contrarotating glass plates have an equal number of metal foil sectors affixed to them.There are two uninsulated diagonal conductors fitted with brushes, front and back, at right angles to each other. Collecting combs on insulated mounts are fitted left and right. In more recent devices leyden jars are connected to the collecting combs.