Galvani, Luigi

Galvani, Luigi (1737-98), Italian scientist.

Luigi Galvani was a professor of science in the University of Bologna.

One day in 1791, he did some experiments with a frog's leg. He sent electricity through it and caused it to make a jumping movement. Then he hung the frog's leg on a brass hook and placed the hook over an iron rod. To his surprise the leg made a jumping movement.

Later Galvani realised that electricity must have passed through the frog's leg, but he did not know where the electricity had come from.

Another Italian scientist, Count Alessandro Volta found this out and invented the electric cell.

Galvani's name is remembered in the word galvanometer. This is an instrument used for measuring the strength of an electric current.

See Bern Dibner Luigi Galvani