The History of Electricity By fifelskialexis 300 B.C.E. Chinese Discover Compass Jan 1, 600 B.C.E. Thales discovered that amber rubbed with animal fur attracted light objects Thales discovered that amber rubbed with animal fur attracted light objects. Jan 1, 1200 Compass' used to navigate ships Jan 1, 1660 Otto Von Guericke built first electric generating machine Jan 1, 1670 William Gilbert Invented Versorium,compass without magnetized neddle Jan 1, 1700 Francis Hauksbee removed air from glass globe and made it rotatewhile rubbing it with wool cloth, used to read in the dark