Megavolt at $90 (fwd)

[Steven Roys <sroys@xxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 04:04:41 EST
From: Lyonelb@xxxxxxx
To: hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Megavolt at $90

The first model of Van de Graffâ??s generator, dubbed "the tin can generator,"
had a belt made of silk ribbon bought at the local five-and-dime (where, the
story goes, Jamison Van de Graff alarmed the salesgirl by testing the ribbon's
flammability). Operated in the open air, it reached a potential of 80 000
volts.

A few months later, Van de Graaff generated over
1 000 000 V between two 60-centimeter-diameter spheres on Pyrex columns 180
cm high. This version was published Oct. 28, 1931, in a three-page "Disclosure
of invention," signed by Van de Graaff and two witnesses. The apparatus cost
$90.

Van de Graaff's generator made headlines when it was demonstrated in New York
City on Nov. 10, 1931, before a dinner meeting of the newly formed American
Institute of Physics. likely those dreams were realized.

;-)   Dr Lyonel Baum
( Source IEEE Spectrum  july 1990)