Evolution of Electricity
Nolan O'Connor
| 01-07-2024
· Science Team
Electricity, as a source of power utilizing electrical energy, has undergone a long and rich history of development.
The journey of electricity can be delineated through several significant stages:

Ancient Greece:

In the era of Ancient Greece, among the Seven Sages, there was a philosopher named Thales. Around 600 BC, Thales observed the intriguing phenomena of Greeks attracting feathers with rubbed amber and iron filings with magnetic stones. He contemplated the reasons behind these occurrences. It is said that his interpretation was: "All things have a soul. Magnets attract iron, hence magnets have a soul."
Here, the term "magnet" refers to magnetic iron ore. The Greeks referred to amber as "Elektron" and imported it from the shores of the Baltic Sea for crafting bracelets and jewelry. Even though gem merchants of that time were aware that rubbing amber could attract feathers, they attributed it to the influence of divine beings or magical forces.

17th Century:

In England, Robert Boyle proposed a novel method of charge separation, achieved through friction, thereby generating static electricity. He further explored the interaction between positive and negative charges.

Mid-18th Century:

Benjamin Franklin conducted a series of experimental studies on electricity in the United States. These experiments encompassed investigations into the relationship between lightning and electricity, as well as the direction of electric current flow. In 1752, he famously employed a kite and a key to demonstrate that lightning is an electrical phenomenon.

19th Century:

In the early 19th century, Italian scientist Alessandro Volta achieved a significant milestone by producing the first battery.
In an oxygen environment, electrodes in a copper nitrate electrolytic cell yielded oxygen and zinc dioxide respectively, marking the inception of battery technology. The advent of the Industrial Revolution facilitated further experimentation and application of electricity, including explorations into magnetic phenomena, electrodynamics, and electromagnetic induction.

20th Century:

At the dawn of the 20th century, humanity mastered the technology of alternating current (AC), enabling the widespread utilization of electricity in processes such as long-distance transmission, distribution, and utilization. Concurrently, the emergence of power plants propelled the popularization of electricity, fostering accelerated advancements in its application and research.

21st Century:

Electricity has evolved into an indispensable energy source and technology in modern society. It finds extensive applications across various domains, including transportation, communication, information technology, healthcare, and domestic life. As technological advancements continue, future energy technologies are poised to become more environmentally sustainable and efficient, enabling electricity to serve humanity in increasingly superior ways.
In the present era dominated by the internet, the electricity demand continues to burgeon. This is primarily driven by the invention of devices such as computers and household appliances, underscoring the indispensability of electricity in contemporary life. The incessant emergence of new technologies undeniably solidifies electricity's status as a necessity for humanity.