The versorium, invented by William Gilbert in 1600, played a pivotal role in distinguishing between magnetism and static electricity. It was the first instrument capable of detecting the presence of static electric charge, which allowed for a clear differentiation between magnetic forces and electric forces. As described in the Wikipedia article on the versorium, "The versorium was the first electroscope, the first instrument that could detect the presence of static electric charge" [1]. Gilbert used the versorium to demonstrate that the Earth's magnetic field was distinct from the static electricity generated by friction, as mentioned in the article from ScienceDirect Topics [2]. This distinction was crucial for the development of the understanding of electricity and magnetism as separate but related phenomena. The versorium also helped establish the term "electricity," as noted by VERSORIUM inc. [3], and it is still recognized as a significant device for explaining the fundamental differences between magnetism and static electricity.

This image illustrates the basic design of the versorium, which was a simple yet effective tool for its time, highlighting the scientific advancements made during the early studies of electricity and magnetism.