Neat demonstration.<p>I believe Faradays first motor was a magnet and wire suspended over a cup of mercury to act as a conductor.<p>There is also a telescope that uses a spinning vat of mercury to form a reflector.<p>Vintage mercury vapor rectifiers are really neat to watch.<p><a href="https://youtu.be/5ftCS5wwiPY" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/5ftCS5wwiPY</a><p>Had fun playing with mercury as a kid; say what you will. Still have my 1 pound container of it.