You will easily recognise that the pupil in the first picture is experimenting with a Van de Graaf generator.

The fact that amber, when rubbed, attracts straw and dry leaves, was known as early as 600BC. However, it took more than 1,600 years for the development of friction machines, designed to create large quantities of this static electricity. Perhaps the most famous of these machines was the Wimshurst machine, which was made up of two glass discs rotating in opposite directions.

The Van de Graaf generator creates very high voltages. The version we are most familiar with creates static charge by the rotation of a thick rubber belt, like a fan belt. The charge builds up on the metal spheres. Demonstrators often show how this charge can be transferred to a person insulated from the floor, causing their hair to stand on end.

A more useful application is found with high voltage machines, where the charge is used to power a particle accelerator, a machine that lets scientists see what very small particles are made of by smashing them together in a vacuum at very high speeds. Born in 1901, in Alabama, Van de Graaf invented his generator in 1931. By the time of his death, in 1967, more than 500 were charging particle accelerators across the world.

Even without an electrostatic machine pupils can experiment with static electricity. Suspend an inflated balloon from the ceiling using a cotton thread. Draw a face on the balloon and rub its nose with a wool cloth. Move towards the balloon. From whichever way you approach your balloon should turn to look at you and will even lean over and give you a kiss!

Sophie Duncan is a physicist and programme manager with Planet Science www.planet-science.com