Also known as a Wimshurst influence machine, it is more commonly referred to as a Wimshurst machine, and is largely misspelled as Wimhurst. It was developed between 1880 and 1883, by James Wimshurst, a British inventor.

This particular Wimshurst machine features clear acrylic rotating disks, high quality foil metal strips and brushes, and insulated cylindrical capacitors known as Leyden jars. It measures approximately 17x15x9.5 inches (HxLxW).

The Whimshurst machine features a pair of contra-rotating, insulating acrylic discs that have a series of metal sectors attached at regular intervals. On either end, four small metal brushes swipe across the sectors as the discs rotate, generating an electrical charge. As the charge builds exponentially, it collects in the Leyden jars attached to the base of the Wimshurst. Once the dielectric breakdown voltage of the air is reached, an electric spark will begin to jump across the gap between the adjustable metal spheres.