Stress and other effects produced in resin and in a viscid compound of resin and oil by electrification

While making an experiment with the object of finding the degree of resistance to puncture offered by paper coated with a soft compound of resin and oil, when placed between the secondary terminals of an induction coil, the tension being regulated by a spark-gap in a parallel branch of the circuit, observed that on the passage of a spark at the spark-gap, while no spark passed between the paper separated terminals, a sudden roughening or puckering of the previously smooth surface of the coating took place. A number of experiments were made with the object of ascertaining the nature of the action which produced this effect, and these led to further experiments and to results which, though closely related to well-known phenomena, possess features of novelty and interest.