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Stephen Gray distinguishes between conductive and non-conductive materials.
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First electrical storage device, precursor to the capacitor.
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Franklin proves lightning is a form of electricity.
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Luigi Galvani observes muscle movement from electric stimulation
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Alessandro Volta creates the voltaic pile, the first true battery.
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Links electricity and magnetism for the first time.
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Faraday builds a motor converting electricity into motion.
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Georg Ohm formalizes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.
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Discovery of how changing magnetic fields generate current.
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Unified theory of electricity and magnetism published.
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Edison's incandescent bulb changes how the world uses electricity.
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Edison opens Pearl Street Station in NYC, distributing DC power.
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Nikola Tesla develops the alternating current induction motor.
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Power sent over 100 miles during a German expo, proving AC’s viability.
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Fleming invents the thermionic valve, enabling early electronics.
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Electricity begins to spread to rural areas across the U.S.
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Shockley, Bardeen, and Brattain invent the transistor at Bell Labs.
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Jack Kilby creates the first IC, miniaturizing electrical circuits.
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Computers first communicate using packet switching, relying on electronic infrastructure.
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Martin Cooper makes the first cellular call on a handheld device.
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Global electronic communication becomes possible.
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Electrical devices drive home computing, powered by silicon-based electronics.
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Smartphone revolution puts advanced electronics in every pocket.
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First widely popular electric vehicle powered by lithium-ion battery packs.
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For the first time, renewables overtake coal in electricity generation.
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Safer, more efficient batteries begin emerging, improving electric storage.
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Electrical systems now support quantum computing and AI processors at scale.
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Smart grids and decentralized power dominate the electric landscape.