Ruhmkorff

Ruhmkorff refers to a type of induction coil, often called a Ruhmkorff coil, named after its inventor Heinrich Ruhmkorff. Heinrich Ruhmkorff was a German inventor who lived from 1803 to 1875. He is primarily known for his work in electromagnetism and the development of the induction coil.

The Ruhmkorff coil is an electrical transformer device used to produce very high-voltage, direct-current pulses from a low-voltage direct-current source. It consists of a primary coil with a few turns of thick wire and a secondary coil with many thousands of turns of thin wire, wound around a common iron core. When the primary coil is rapidly switched on and off, the changing magnetic field induces a high voltage in the secondary coil. This was a significant advancement in generating high voltages for experimental purposes.

Ruhmkorff coils were crucial in early electrical research and applications. They were used to produce sparks for various experiments, including early investigations into X-rays and cathode rays. The ability to generate high voltages also found applications in early medical devices and in demonstrating electrical phenomena. Ruhmkorff's invention played a vital role in the advancement of electrical science and technology during the 19th century.