This house was used to demonstrate how a lightning conductor works. From the clock-tower of the house, representing the Utrecht gate in Amsterdam, rises a metal lightning conductor. Through it, a charge of an electric generator (for example, a spark of an electrostatic generator), representing lightning, is led to the earth. When the lightning conductor is not earthed, the 'lightning' strikes the house and the two windows, the gate and the sentry-box fall out of place. Sometimes, a bit of gunpowder was hidden in the house, to imitate the sound of thunder.
Thunder-house
1775 - 1799