The mysterious battery that has powered a ringing bell for 176 years
In short: At Oxford University, a bell has been ringing continuously for nearly two centuries. This video examines the Oxford Electric Bell and the enigmatic dry pile battery driving it, a device whose exact internal composition remains a scientific mystery.
Located within the Clarendon Laboratory, the Oxford Electric Bell has operated since at least 1840, when it was acquired by the university. The device is powered by a 'dry pile' battery, an early form of electric battery that remains active despite its immense age.
Researchers are hesitant to dismantle the battery to determine its precise chemical makeup, as doing so would likely end the bell's historic, continuous operation. The longevity of this power source continues to intrigue physicists, as documented in historical notes from the Clarendon Laboratory.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Battery That's Lasted 176 Years
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