The professor repeated the experiment, with the same result.
If electricity could be secured, accumulated, and discharged, what might not follow as the results of further experiments?
It was several days before the professor recovered from the shock. "I would not take a second shock," he said, "for the kingdom of France!"
Thus the Leyden jar came into use. The news of the experiment flew over Germany and Europe. Scientific people everywhere went to making Leyden jars and imprisoning electricity.
Society took up the invention as a wonder toy. Gunpowder was discharged from the point of the finger by persons charged on an insulating stool. Electrical kisses passed from bold lips to lips in social circles. Even timid people mounted up on cakes of resin that their friends might see their hair stand on end. Sir William Watson, of London, completed the electrical fountain by coating the bottle in and out with tinfoil.
The great news reached America. Franklin heard of it; no ears were more alert than his to profit by suggestions like this.
Mr. Peter Collinson, of London, sent to him an account of Professor Musschenbroek's magical bottle.
He told his friends of the Junto Club of the invention, and set them all to rubbing electric substances for sparks.
He had invented many useful things. A new force had fallen under the control of man. He must investigate it; he must experiment with it; he too must have a magical bottle.
"I never," he wrote in 1747, "was before engaged in any study that so totally engrossed my attention and time as this has lately done; for what with making experiments when I can be alone, and repeating them to my friends and acquaintances who from the novelty of the thing come continually in crowds to see them, I have during some months past had little leisure for anything else."