History of Electricity and Magnetism Timeline

By Jetsemani

  • 1880

    1880
    The first commercial installation of American inventor Thomas Edison's electric lighting system occurs, successfully providing light to the steamship Columbia.

  • 1882

    1882
    The first hydroelectric power station is founded in Appleton, Wisconsin.

  • 1888

    1888
    The first AC hydroelectric power plant is established in Oregon City, Oregon

  • 1895

    1895
    The first large-scale hydroelectric power plant, located in North America at Niagara Falls, begins delivering power.

  • 1896

    1896
    French physicist Antoine-Henri Becquerel first observes natural radioactivity

  • 1897

    1897
    J.J. Thomson carries out several experiments that lead him to conclude that cathode rays consist of a stream of negatively charged particles much smaller than an atom, dispelling the long-held belief that the atom was indivisible.

  • 1899

    1899
    Waldmar Jungner of Sweden develops the rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery.

  • 1900

    1900
    French husband-and-wife physicists Pierre and Marie Curie produce evidence that beta rays are a form of radiation identical to cathode rays.
    German physicist Max Planck introduces his radiation law, the fundamental physical constant that bears his name, and his concept of energy quanta. German physicist Max Planck introduces his radiation law, the fundamental physical constant that bears his name, and his concept of energy quanta.