Who invented the potato clock?

Answer 1

William A. Borst invented the potato clock in 1983. He was helping his step daughter with a science project when he remembered a high school physics demonstration where a battery was formed by inserting two metal probes into a potato. After recreating that demonstration, he was looking for some electrical device that could be powered by such a small amount of energy. He found a digital clock module in his workshop that required a very small amount of current but the required voltage was greater that a single "potato battery" could supply. He then connected two of the spuds in series to increase the voltage supplied to the clock module. It worked. He was able to operate the digital clock module using two potatoes.

At the time all this took place, William was a partner in an auto repair business. Wondering how long one of the Potato Clocks would run, he setup an experiment to test the longevity of the spud batteries. While this test was going on, a customer who happened to work for a local newspaper came into the repair shop. After inquiring about the unusual clock there at the shop, the local paper ran a story about it. This story ultimately went out OJ the national wire services and the Potato Clock story was out.

He never made much money on this product but enjoyed the attention that it brought to him for a time. The rights to manufacture ended up with Skilcraft Corporation who manufactures the clock today under the name of "The Two Potato Clock".

Now you know the real story of the potato clock.

Best wishes to all who read this. --William A. Borst, Inventor.

Answer 2

The famed potato clock seems impossible, but an easy science experiment can give you insight into how this basic battery works. You already have most of the materials you need. A trip to the basement work area, the pantry and the kitchen drawer may help you complete your recipe for a potato clock. You'll need two galvanized nails, several inches of copper wire and wire clips, an LED clock with the battery removed, and a potato or two.

Answer 3

The phosphoric acid in the potato causes a chemical reaction with the copper and zinc. The reaction causes the electrons on the copper to strip off and attach to the hydrogen atoms in the phosphoric acids. The new potential difference (amount of pressure or electrons in one place of a conductor) causes the electrons to flow into the zinc, powering the clock in a cycle.

Answer 4

William A. Borst invented the potato clock in 1983. He was helping his step daughter with a science project when he remembered a high school physics demontration where a battery was formed by inserting two metal probes into a potato. After recreating that demonstration, he was looking for some electrical devisce that could be powered by such a small amount of energy. He found a digital clock module in his workshop that required a very small amount of current but the required voltage was greater that a single "potato battery" could supply. He then connected two of the spuds in series to increase the voltage supplied to the clock module. It worked. He was able to operate the digital clock module using two potatoes.

At the time all this took place, William was a partner in an auto repair business. Wondering how long one of the Potato Clocks would run, he setup an experiment to test the longevity of the spud batteries. While this test was going on, a customer who happened to work for a local newspaper came into the repair shop. After enquiring about the unusual clock there at the shop, the local paper ran a story about it. This story ultimately went out OJ the national wire services and the Potato Clock story was out.

He never made much money on this product but enjoyed the attention that it brought to him for a time. The rights to manufacture ended up with Skilcraft Corporation who manufactures the clock today under the name of "The Two Potato Clock".

Answer 5

if a potato clock would actually power a small led clock

Answer 6

It could be used to POWER a clock