Categories: SCIENCE

Who invented potato clock?

Potato clock was invented by William A. Borst in 1983. William was helping his stepdaughter in her science project when he was reminded of one of his physics class in which potatoes were used to generate energy. William fixed two metal prods into a potato and potato battery was made ready to generate energy. He then looked for a device that could work on a small charge. He got a digital clock in his workshop but realized that it would require a large amount of energy so he attached two potatoes in sequence. This proved fruitful and energy was generated. William now had a challenge to work about time limit of the battery and set up the experiment in his auto workshop in which he was a co partner. One of his customers who worked in a local newspaper showed curiosity in the device being tested and made it public through the article in his newspaper. The work which started as a project attracted national attention.

Later the rights of this project were purchased by The Skilcraft Corporation and now it is manufacturing the Two Potato Clock. William A. Borst did not gained much monetary profit from his project but the project brought good amount of fame to him. The Two Potato Clock is a favorite project for science student till date.

It is a simple project requiring materials like 2 potatoes, 2 short lengths of copper wires, 2 galvanized nails, 3 alligator clip wire units and 1 low- voltage LED clock.

2016 Revision

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2016 Revision

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