Birthdate of Pieter van Musschenbroek
Pieter van Musschenbroek was born on March 14, 1692. Musschenbroekorn was a Dutch physicist and mathematician. He invented the Leyden jar, the first effective device for storing static electricity. He grew up in a family that manufactured scientific instruments such as telescopes, microscopes and air pumps. Before Musschenbroek's invention, static electricity had been produced by Otto von Guericke using a sulphur ball, with minor effects.
In January 1746, Musschenbroek placed water in a metal container suspended on silk cords, and fed a brass wire through a cork into the water. He built up a charge in the water. When an unwary assistant touched the metal container and the brass wire, the discharge from this apparatus delivered a substantial shock of static electricity. The Leyden name is linked to the discovery having being made at the University of Leiden. Musschenbroekorn died Sept. 19, 1761 at the age of 69.
