Yes, Van der Graaf Generator (notice the mis-spelling)is the name of a sixties band (Peter Hammill) but thats another story

Our VDG is named after Robert Jemison Van De Graaff, the Inventor and Scientist who built the first machine back in 1931.A VDG is

capable of generating thousands of volts of static eletricity, and is widely used in the classroom to demonstrate the power that can be generated simply by friction.

We use it to create some amusing and fascinating experiments with pie plates, cotton wool and the most amazing "hair raising" demo.

Giant sparks cross between the large and small spheres, objects can be both attracted and repelled from the sphere and if you are careless shocks( high voltage- low amps and quite harmless) can be felt.

Rather than rewrite everything go to the above web site if you want to know more! www.amasci.com/emotor/vdg.html