The Carré machine is an interesting combination of the friction machine and the influence machine. The bottom disk in this generator creates electricity by friction cushions rubbing against glass; but this charge is used to induce electricity in the larger, upper disk. Since the lower disk does not have its charge drained off to a main terminal (as most friction machines do) it can create a more powerful charge. This charge is then multiplied by the rapidly-spinning upper disk.

The Carré machine is a transitional device with many advantages over pure friction, or pure influence, machines. It's less temperamental than an influence machine like the Wimshurst; it's more powerful than a friction machine like the Ramsden plate generator.

These machines were often used in medicine, as the following illustration from one of the Chardin catalogs circa 1900 will show. Chardin was, perhaps. somewhat overenthusiastic about the possibilities of medical electricity; but treatments like this were being given by many respectable physicians.

Museum Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 5
Thursdays 10 am to  8pm 
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© The Bakken Updated: April 6, 2007