Does anyone know what this device is called?

[Molecular Kogwheel 37]

In Season 2 Episode 15 "Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000", This thing was visible on top of Flim Flam brothers' locomotion:

 

Then I saw it again in S02E20 "It's About Time", inside Twilight's house:

 

It looks like a vacuum tube with two antennas inside, and sparks jumping from one antenna to another.

 

The question is, is this really existing apparatus, and if so, what is its name?

Or is it made up, to look sciency?

It feels like I saw this apparatus outside My Little Pony.

Edited December 2, 2013 by SuperMarioKingdom

[rainbowdashbrony1 130]

It looks like one those tubes they use

in Frankenstein's  lab  called a electron Battery that gives it power !

[Wayzer 1,418]

Maybe something for electrolysis. I really wouldn't know 

[Fhaolan 4,468]

Yes, it's sometimes called a Jacob's Ladder, or to be technical a 'high voltage traveling arc'. Usually they're not in a tube like that, but I've seen a few built like that where the tube is filled with the same gas as 'Plasma Globes' to give a more colorful display.

[rainbowdashbrony1 130]

If you want to know if it's real look up Electron Battery hope  that helps ?

Edited December 2, 2013 by rainbowdashbrony1