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Lighting is a flow of electricity
Believing lightning is a flow of electricity taking place
in nature, Benjamin Franklin tests his
theory, fastening an iron spike to a
silk kite and holding the end of the kite
string by an iron key during a
thunderstorm. Lightning flashes, and
a tiny spark jumps from the key to
Franklin’s wrist. -
The Steam
Scotsman James Watt invents the steam
condensing engine, which proves crucial to
large-scale generation of electricity. The
principles of the steam engine developed by
Watt are used to turn the generators that
produce electricity. -
First battery
Building on Galvani’s work, Italian physics professor
Allesandro Volta shows that when moisture comes
between two different metals, electricity is created.
This leads him to develop the first battery – thin
sheets of copper and zinc separated by paper
soaked in acid. Volta shows electricity can flow
steadily—like a current of water—instead of
discharging itself in a single lightning bolt or spark.
He later invents the electric condenser. -
The First Electric Motor
English physicist Michael Faraday succeeds in
building the first electric motor. He discovers
when a magnet is moved within a coil of copper
wire a small electric current flows through the
wire. American Joseph Henry also discovers this
principle the same year. -
First Generator
Generators with electromagnets in the field are
first constructed. -
Incamdescents lamps
Edison and English physicist Joseph Swan both
apply for patents for carbon-filament
incandescent lamps. Litigation between the two
men is resolved by formation of a joint company
in 1883. -
The First Electric Railway
Frank Sprague demonstrates the first practical
electric motor for use in locomotives. In 1887,
he inaugurates a small electric railway in St.
Joseph, Missouri, and builds the Union
Passenger Railway in Richmond, Virginia – the
first large electric railway system ever
attempted. -
Introduce of Alterning Current
Nikola Tesla, a Serbian electrical engineer
who had immigrated to the United States
and was working with Edison, introduces the
alternating current generator, allowing
electricity to be distributed longer distances
than the two miles possible with direct
current generators. Everyone but Edison
agrees AC is superior to DC. Even Edison’s
own company – Edison Electric Company,
now called General Electric – eventually
switches to AC. All electric motors today run
on principles set out by Tesla. -
Electric waves
Italian engineer Guglielmo Marconi harnesses
electric waves in the air to produce the first
practical radio signaling system -
Electronic computers
Electronic computers
invented. Electric freezers,
frying pans, portable mixers
and improved air conditioners
introduced. -
Nuclear Energy
A nuclear reactor built at
Arco, Idaho, powers a
generator, producing the
first electricity generated by
atomic energy.
