The ‘Zamboni pile’ is a variation on the electric battery as invented by Volta. Such battery generates an electric voltage as a result of the effect of acid on two different metals, such as copper and zinc. In 1812 Giuseppe Zamboni found a combination which generates a slightly higher voltage. He covered paper discs drenched in acid alternately with silver foil and manganese oxide. By piling up a thousand of these electrochemical cells the ‘Zamboni pile’ was formed. It can generate a voltage of a few hundred Volt. That is high enough to imitate electrostatic phenomena, such as attracting and repulsing a light pith-ball. So chemical and static electricity do not really differ.
Zamboni pile
pre 1882