Turns a static charge into light

Sure you‘ve seen static electricity at work: “static cling”, bad hair days, a shock from a door knob - but now you can put all of that “body electricity” to good use and light a small neon light bulb. Body static electricity can be in excess of 10,000 volts - but amperage is so low, it’s harmless!

Hold on to one of the light bulb wires and walk across your carpet, dragging your feet as you go.. This builds up a charge of static electricity that discharges through the light bulb in your hand. You power the bulb!

Try it in a darkened room to see the full glow. You need to generate static electricity (think enough to get a small shock when you touch something metal.) That is how the bulb works. If you generate a large enough charge, the bulb glows in free air. The winter is usually when your house is closed up and air has less humidity, so that is when the bulb is most effective. You can also place the un-held bulb wire next to the human-powered light bulb, BUT NOT TOUCHING a metal object like a lamp or TV. This allows the static electricity from the device to discharge from your body through the bulb.

Electricity has never been more fun!

Ages 7 and up