Otis Singleton
The discovery of electricity is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1752, flew a kite with a key attached during a thunderstorm. However, this is a common misconception. While Franklin's experiment proved that lightning was a form of electricity, it was not the first discovery of electricity. In fact, electricity is not an invention but a natural phenomenon, and ancient societies were aware of its existence, even if they did not know how to harness it. The first person in modern history to identify, study, and advance electricity was the English physician William Gilbert, who, in 1600, coined the term electricus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of kite experiment | 1752 |
| Inventor of the kite experiment | Benjamin Franklin |
| Purpose of the kite experiment | To investigate the nature of lightning and electricity |
| Outcome of the kite experiment | Proved that lightning and electricity were the result of the same phenomenon |
| Other famous contributors to electricity research | Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Michael Faraday, Werner von Siemens, Charles Wheatstone, Samuel Alfred Valley, Francis Hauksbee, Georg Ohm |
| First person to observe the phenomenon of static electricity | Thales of Miletus |
| Year static electricity was first observed | 600 BC |
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What You'll Learn
The kite experiment
Franklin's experiment built upon the work of earlier researchers, such as Jean-Antoine Nollet, who had speculated about the electrical nature of lightning. In 1749, Nollet's ideas led to the issue of electrical lightning being posed as a prize question in Bordeaux. Denis Barberet's dissertation on the subject received a prize in Bordeaux in 1750, and Franklin himself proposed an experiment in 1752 with conductive rods to attract lightning to a Leyden jar, an early form of capacitor.
According to Joseph Priestley's account in his 1767 book "History and Present Status of Electricity", Franklin conducted the kite experiment with the assistance of his son, William. Franklin attached a metal key to the kite string, which was then flown during a thunderstorm. The key was intended to draw an electrical charge from the lightning, which Franklin could then test to confirm the electrical nature of lightning.
While there is some debate about the exact date and details of the experiment, it is generally believed to have taken place in June 1752. Franklin's experiment, along with further experiments on the ground, successfully demonstrated that lightning and electricity were the result of the same phenomenon. This discovery helped pave the way for the development and use of modern electricity.
It is important to note that Franklin's experiment was not without its risks. The German scientist Georg Wilhelm Reichmann died in 1753 while attempting to replicate Franklin's experiment. Additionally, some historians have questioned whether Franklin's experiment took place at all, as he never wrote a detailed account of it himself. However, Priestley's account, based on information presumably provided by Franklin himself, provides valuable insight into the experiment and its impact on our understanding of electricity.
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Ancient societies' awareness of electricity
While electricity is often considered a modern discovery, there is evidence that ancient societies were aware of electrical phenomena. These ancient societies may have encountered electricity through natural phenomena, such as lightning, electric fish, and electrostatic generation from materials like silk.
The Sumerians, for example, worked with silk, which can generate static electricity when rubbed with other objects. This accidental discovery may have sparked curiosity about electricity among the Sumerians. Similarly, the discovery of the Baghdad Battery suggests that the Babylonians may have experimented with early forms of batteries. These clay jars, containing copper cylinders and iron rods, resemble galvanic cells, indicating a potential ancient understanding of electrochemical reactions.
The Mesopotamians may have also had encounters with electricity through lightning and electric fish, leading to a basic understanding or curiosity about electrical occurrences. Ancient Indian texts of the Rigveda refer to "vidyut," interpreted as lightning, suggesting that the Vedic civilization was aware of and revered its power. The ancient Persians may have observed natural plasma phenomena like St. Elmo's Fire, an electrical weather event often seen on ships or high structures, fostering an early interest in electricity.
The Minoans, while not directly understanding electrical concepts, possessed knowledge of magnetic properties, indicating a potential awareness of electromagnetic principles. The ancient Egyptians used antimony electroplating between 2500-2200 BC, and the Greeks, around 600 BCE, discovered the unique properties of amber, which attracted light objects when rubbed with fur.
These glimpses into the past suggest that ancient societies had varying levels of awareness and understanding of electrical phenomena, laying the groundwork for future generations to explore and advance our knowledge of electricity.
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The work of William Gilbert
William Gilbert, an English physician and natural philosopher, is credited by most historians for being the first person in modern history to identify, study, and advance electricity. Gilbert, who was born in 1544 in Colchester, Essex, England, came from a rising middle-class family. He carried out extensive research into electricity and magnetism, despite very little being understood about these phenomena at the time.
Gilbert's most notable work, De Magnete, Magneticisque Corporibus, et de Magno Magnete Tellure (On the Magnet, Magnetic Bodies, and the Great Magnet of the Earth), was published in 1600. This six-volume treatise compiled all the information regarding magnetism and electricity known at the time, including descriptions of his own experiments and conclusions, as well as data obtained by others. In De Magnete, Gilbert introduced fundamental terminology in the field of electromagnetics, such as "electric force" and "electric attraction," terms that are still used today.
In his research, Gilbert developed a versorium, an instrument consisting of a metal needle that could pivot freely in response to a magnetic or electric field, and a round lodestone called a terrella. Through his experiments, Gilbert concluded that the Earth is magnetic, similar to the lodestone, and that the varying dip of a compass needle at different points on the Earth's surface could be explained by this magnetism.
Gilbert's work on magnetism and electricity laid the foundation for future scientists to build upon. He is considered the father of electrical studies and experimental philosophy in England, with his emphasis on the value of experiments and his development of theories that have influenced later scientists.
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The work of Michael Faraday
While lightning and electricity were proven to be the same phenomenon by Benjamin Franklin in 1752, Michael Faraday, an English chemist and physicist, is known for his work on electricity and electrochemistry.
Michael Faraday was born in 1791 in Newington, Surrey, England, and had a basic school education. He became an apprentice bookbinder and read many books, including the "electricity" section of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Inspired by Humphry Davy's lectures, Faraday became his laboratory assistant and went on to become an influential scientist.
Faraday's major contribution was in the field of electricity and magnetism. He was the first to produce an electric current from a magnetic field, inventing the first electric motor and dynamo. He also discovered the effect of magnetism on light and the underlying relationship between the two phenomena. Faraday's research on the magnetic field around a conductor carrying a direct current established the concept of the electromagnetic field in physics.
Faraday's other discoveries include the principles of electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, and the laws of electrolysis. He also demonstrated the relation between electricity and chemical bonding, invented electromagnetic rotary devices, and wrote a manual of practical chemistry.
Faraday's work on electricity and magnetism provided the foundation for James Clerk Maxwell's classical electromagnetic field theory.
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The work of Thomas Edison
While electricity was not invented but discovered, Thomas Edison, an American inventor and businessman, is known for his work in electric power generation, which played a critical role in introducing the modern age of electricity. Edison's work on electricity began in 1878 when he started working on a system of electrical illumination to compete with gas and oil-based lighting. Edison's most notable work in this field was the creation of the incandescent light bulb, which shifted the world from oil lamps to electricity.
Edison's work extended beyond electricity to other fields, including mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. In the realm of mass communication, Edison invented the carbon-button transmitter for the telephone speaker and microphone. In sound recording, he invented the phonograph, which reproduced sounds by means of the vibration of a stylus following a groove on a rotating disc. Edison also contributed to motion pictures with his work on the motion picture camera and an experimental electric railroad. Furthermore, he established the first industrial research laboratory and was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of organized science and teamwork to the invention process, working with many researchers and employees.
In addition to his work on illumination, Edison had concerns about America's reliance on foreign rubber supplies. He, along with Henry Ford and Harvey S. Firestone, contributed funds to form the Edison Botanical Research Corporation. Edison conducted the majority of the research and planting, employing a two-part acid-base extraction to derive latex from dried and crushed plant material.
Edison also had strong views on alternating current (AC), believing it to be unworkable and dangerous due to its high voltages. This stance put him at odds with his rival, George Westinghouse, who was installing AC systems. Edison's opposition to AC may have been influenced by his inability to grasp the abstract theories behind it, a desire to avoid developing a system he didn't understand, or concerns about the safety of customers and the sales of electric power systems.
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Frequently asked questions
No, while lightning may have helped us understand electricity, it was not the discovery point. The discovery of electricity is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1752, flew a kite with a key attached during a lightning storm. However, this is a myth. The understanding of electricity was built upon by many scientists, inventors, and researchers over time.
Some key figures in the history of electricity include William Gilbert, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Michael Faraday, and Georg Ohm. Gilbert, an English physician, is credited by most historians for being the first person in modern history to identify, study, and advance electricity in 1600. Thomas Edison developed the first successful electric lightbulb and helped bring electricity into homes. Nikola Tesla, a rival of Edison, also made significant contributions to electricity. Michael Faraday laid the foundation for electromagnetic field theory, and Georg Ohm discovered Ohm's Law, which is still used today.
Our understanding of electricity has evolved and changed significantly over the years. The ancient Greeks observed static electricity, and in 1600, William Gilbert coined the term "electricus." In the 1700s, Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment proved that lightning was a form of electricity. In the 1800s, scientists like Werner von Siemens, Charles Wheatstone, and Samuel Alfred Valley built on Faraday's work to create the first electrical generators for industrial use.
