exhibits

The Galvanic Stimulation Chair is believed to have been designed by Nikola Tesla in the early 1900’s. Re-discovered in 1948, after being abandoned in a Colorado warehouse. Most likely due to the mixed reception the chair had originally received, some believing it was a miracle cure others that it was a con.

The chair itself was designed to use a process known as Galvanic Stimulation, the discharging of a battery through the human body, to cure various ailments and mental illnesses, such as impure thoughts and prostitution.

The user sits in the chair and after strapping themselves in has control over the power, the flux capacity and the voltage, this allows for the chair to be used without any assistance. The chair is believed to be designed to be connected to a coin operation box, making it a stand-alone unit for use in apothecaries and pharmacies.

This is a short archive documentary extract showing Telsla's Galvanic Stimulation Chair in use after its re-discovery in 1948.

Launch Video

Interaction Archaeologists
  • Matt Edwards
  • Charlotte Addison