Abstract: A wire annealing apparatus of the type in which an annealing current resistively heats the wire to soften it. The annealing current is caused to flow as a result of a potential difference applied to a section of wire through low friction-free running contact pulleys. Each of the contact pulleys is as friction-free as possible because it is rotatably supported by a ball bearing on a shaft which is rotatably driven at or near the rotational speed at which the pulley is rotated by the wire. The annealing current path between the shaft and the contact pulley is completed through a low friction electrical connector assembly. Annealing current is provided from flowing through the supporting ball bearing.