The Leyden jar is the earliest capacitor, and Mercedes is correct that I did discuss plans here someplace to make one. I never got around to that project yet.
Mercedes is also right about the term battery referring to a connected bank of Leyden jars and I only add that it was Ben Franklin who did that in experiments and bestowed the term battery.
Belove has got the right use of the Leyden jar (or any capacitor) to trickle charge the battery.
In a practical sense however there is simply not enough 'juice' coming from even the most ambitious rubbing to provide any appreciable power. I
do think it could make for an interesting experiment if you have a voltmeter.
