SHOCKS AND SPARKS - THE VOLTAIC PILE AS A DEMONSTRATION DEVICE

The invention of the Voltaic pile in March 1800 is often regarded as t he final blow to Galvani's theory of animal electricity. But good argu ments for an alternative interpretation of the pile as a public demons tration device can be found. It was an amplifier of effects observed a nd described in 1797 and an essential part of the strategy of ''multip lying one's witnesses'' outlined by Shapin and Schaffer. Volta tried t o win general recognition of his jurisdiction over metallic electricit y. He was conscious of the difference between expert colleagues and th e general public: the pile was addressed to the latter category of wit nesses.