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William Gilbert (England) first coined the term electricity from elektron, the Greek word for amber. Gilbert wrote about the electrification of many substances. He was also the first person to use the terms electric force, magnetic pole, and electric attraction
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Otto von Guericke (Germany) described and demonstrated a vacuum, and then invented a machine that produced static electricity.
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Ben Franklin (United States) tied a key to a kite string during a thunderstorm, and proved that static electricity and lightning were the same thing.
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Alessandro Volta (Italy) invented the first electric battery. The term volt is named in his honor.
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Sir Humphry Davy (England) invented the first effective lamp. The arc lamp was a piece of carbon that glowed when connected by wires to a battery
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Michael Faraday (England) discovered the principle of electro-magnetic rotation that would later be the key to developing the electric motor.
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Joseph Henry (United States) invented the electrical relay, which could send electrical currents long distances.
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The electric streetcar was invented by E.W. v. Siemens.
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Joseph John Thomson (England) discovered the electron.
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The first power line between the United States and Canada was opened at Niagara Falls.
