The Birkeland Terrella experiments and their importance for the modern synergy of laboratory and space plasma physics

A study of the evolution of Kristian Birkeland's theories of cosmical physics is presented, with special reference to his laboratory gas-discharge experiments. It is found that his most important thoughts were molded from an intense cross-fertilization between laboratory experiments, geophysical observations and mathematical modelling. Occasionally, original ideas of fundamental importance in the cosmic context emerged from unexpected laboratory results. Possible implications for a sound cross-disciplinary approach to modern plasma science are discussed.