Umair Gaines
The history of electricity is a fascinating one, from ancient Egyptians observing electric fish to the modern-day proliferation of electric vehicles. The term electricity itself was coined in the early 1600s, and major discoveries in the 18th and 19th centuries paved the way for the development of electrical technologies that we now take for granted. Electric vehicles, in particular, have come a long way since their early models in the 1800s, facing setbacks in the early 1900s, but now experiencing a resurgence in popularity with advancements in battery technology and a growing demand for energy efficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date when the term "electricity" was first used | Early 1600s |
| The Greek word from which the term "electricity" was derived | Amber |
| The scientist who coined the term "electricity" | William Gilbert |
| The first device invented to use electricity | Leyden jar |
| Year when Leyden jar was discovered | 1740s |
| The first successful electric car | Made its debut around 1890 |
| Creator of the first successful electric car | William Morrison |
| Top speed of the first successful electric car | 14 miles per hour |
| Year when 40% of automobiles were powered by steam, 38% by electricity, and 22% by petrol in the United States | 1912 |
| Year when the Renault-Nissan Alliance reached global sales of 100,000 all-electric vehicles | 2013 |
| The world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric passenger car as of August 2020 | Tesla Model 3 |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric vehicles: The first model electric vehicle is attributed to multiple people
- Electric cars: Electric cars were popular in the early 1900s but lost their market position due to the discovery of large petroleum reserves
- Electric panels: Light bulbs, generators, and electric panels revolutionized modern life
- Electric fish: In ancient Egypt, electric fish were called the Thunderer of the Nile
- Electric starter: The invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering removed the need for hand-cranking gasoline engines
Electric vehicles: The first model electric vehicle is attributed to multiple people
The history of the electric vehicle is a long and complex one, with the first electric cars appearing long before the first gas-powered automobiles. It is difficult to attribute the invention of the electric car to one inventor or country. Instead, it was a series of breakthroughs in the 1800s that led to the first electric vehicles.
One of the earliest known examples of an electric vehicle was created by British inventor Robert Anderson, who developed the first crude electric carriage in the early 1800s. However, it wasn't until the second half of the 19th century that French and English inventors built some of the first practical electric cars.
In the United States, the first successful electric car made its debut around 1890 thanks to William Morrison, a chemist from Des Moines, Iowa. Morrison's six-passenger vehicle had a top speed of 14 miles per hour and helped spark interest in electric vehicles across the country.
Another early example of an electric vehicle was the Electrobat, developed by Philadelphians Pedro Salom and Henry G. Morris in 1894. The Electrobat was initially very heavy and slow, but by 1896, Salom and Morris had improved their design, employing pneumatic tires and lighter materials. Their rear-steer carriages used two 1.1-kW motors to travel 25 miles at a top speed of 20 mph.
Other notable pioneers in the development of electric vehicles include Ferdinand Porsche, who created the world's first hybrid electric car in 1898, and Thomas Edison, who worked to build a better electric vehicle battery.
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Electric cars: Electric cars were popular in the early 1900s but lost their market position due to the discovery of large petroleum reserves
Electric cars have been around for a long time, with the first electric vehicles appearing before the development of gasoline-powered cars. In the early 1900s, electric cars were popular, particularly among well-heeled customers in cities. They were favoured for their ease of use and lack of vibration, smell, and noise, which were all issues associated with gasoline cars at the time. Electric cars also did not require gear changes and could be started without a hand crank, which was a difficult and sometimes dangerous activity.
The popularity of electric cars in the early 1900s can be seen in New York City, where by the early 1900s, the Electric Vehicle Company had more than 600 electric cabs operating, with smaller fleets in other cities. Similarly, in London, Walter Bersey introduced a fleet of electric taxis in 1897, which were nicknamed "Hummingbirds" due to the humming noise they made.
However, despite their initial popularity, electric cars began to lose their market position in the early 20th century due to several factors. One significant factor was the discovery of large petroleum reserves worldwide, which led to the widespread availability of affordable petrol. This made petrol-powered cars cheaper to operate over long distances, as they had a greater range than electric cars.
Another factor was the improvement in road infrastructure in the 1920s, which created a need for vehicles with a longer range. Electric cars were limited to urban areas due to their slow speed and low range, while gasoline cars could now travel farther and faster. Additionally, gasoline cars improved in other areas, overcoming many of their previous negatives compared to electric cars. For example, with the invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering, gasoline cars no longer needed to be hand-cranked to start.
As a result of these developments, electric cars all but disappeared by 1935, and for the next 30 years, there was little advancement in electric vehicle technology. It wasn't until the late 1960s and early 1970s, with soaring oil prices and gasoline shortages, that interest in electric vehicles began to grow again, driven by a desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
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Electric panels: Light bulbs, generators, and electric panels revolutionized modern life
The invention of the light bulb, generators, and electric panels has revolutionized modern life. More than 150 years ago, inventors began working on ideas that would dramatically impact how we use energy in our homes and offices.
The first constant electric light was demonstrated in 1835, and scientists worked on improving the incandescent lamp for the next 40 years. Thomas Edison is credited with commercializing the light bulb, but it was a series of small improvements by previous inventors that led to the light bulbs we use today. Edison and his team at Menlo Park focused on improving the filament, testing various materials before settling on a carbon filament. They also created a better vacuum pump to fully remove the air from the bulb and developed the Edison screw, which is now the standard socket fitting for light bulbs.
The light bulb changed the way buildings were designed, increased the length of the average workday, and jump-started new businesses. It also led to breakthroughs in power plants, electric transmission lines, home appliances, and electric motors.
Generators have also played a crucial role in revolutionizing modern life. The dynamo was the first electrical generator capable of delivering power for industry, with the Woolrich Electrical Generator of 1844 being the earliest example used in an industrial process. Large two-phase alternating current generators were later built by J.E.H. Gordon in 1882, and the first public demonstration of an "alternator system" was given by William Stanley Jr. in 1886. The basic system of alternating current generation and distribution he demonstrated remains in use today.
Engine-generators are now commonly used to independently supply electricity, serving as backup power sources. Electric scooters with regenerative braking have also become popular, reducing energy consumption and increasing their range.
Electric panels have also become an essential part of modern life. Upgrading electrical panels and wiring ensures homes can handle modern electrical demands and helps make them safer and more energy-efficient. GFCI outlets, surge protection, and exhaust fan installation have reduced electrical hazards in homes.
Overall, the development of light bulbs, generators, and electric panels has transformed the way we live and work, and electricity continues to be an essential part of our daily lives.
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Electric fish: In ancient Egypt, electric fish were called the Thunderer of the Nile
Electric fish have been known to humans for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, electric catfish were called the "Thunderer of the Nile". They were well-known to Ancient Egyptians, who discovered their electric powers when they were caught in nets and produced sufficient electricity to shock fishermen. The electric catfish is part of the Malapteruridae family, which consists of about twenty different species of fish indigenous to Africa. They range from the Nile basin to deep into tropical Africa. The largest species, Malapterurus electricus, grows to 39 inches long and weighs up to 40 pounds.
The Ancient Egyptians were fascinated by electric fish, as evidenced by the presence of catfish tomb drawings and paintings of electric fish on Egyptian tombstones. The ancient Egyptians also applied electric catfish to painful body parts as a form of electrotherapy, demonstrating their understanding of the fish's numbing powers. The first god-king of Egypt was even named "Catfish-chisel", further emphasising the importance of the electric catfish in Ancient Egyptian culture.
The discovery of the electrical nature of these fishes in the 18th century led to two fundamental advances in science and medicine. Firstly, it demonstrated that nerve conduction and muscle excitation are electrical phenomena. Secondly, it inspired the invention of the electric battery.
Today, the electric catfish is still found in the Nile, specifically below the Aswan dam.
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Electric starter: The invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering removed the need for hand-cranking gasoline engines
Charles F Kettering, born on August 29, 1876, in Loudonville, Ohio, invented the electric starter, removing the need for hand-cranking gasoline engines. Kettering was an engineer, inventor, and head of research and development for General Motors. He was passionate about invention and electricity, spending his first teacher's paycheck on a telephone, which he promptly disassembled and reassembled.
Kettering's interest in electricity led him to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Ohio State University. He then worked at the National Cash Register Company in Dayton, Ohio, where he helped develop the first electric cash register. Kettering's passion for automobiles and electricity led him to co-found the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO) with Edward A. Deeds, a business dedicated to designing automotive equipment.
At DELCO, Kettering worked on creating an electric starter for automobiles, which would replace the old hand-cranking system. The first successful test of the electric starter occurred on February 16, 1911. The starter was integrated with a car's lighting and ignition system, and it derived its initial power from a car battery. This system was patented as an "Engine Starting, Lighting, and Ignition System."
The electric starter was first introduced on the 1912 Cadillac, and by the 1920s, it had become a standard feature on nearly every new automobile. Kettering's invention made automobiles far easier and safer to operate than those powered by hand cranks. The impact of this invention on society was significant, and it remains an essential component of most cars today.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric cars have been sold in the US since the early 1900s, but they lost popularity in the automobile market in the 1920s due to their limited range and slow speed. However, electric cars are seeing a rise in popularity today, with many models available for purchase.
The last time an electric car was the best-selling car in Norway was in October 2013, when the Nissan Leaf sold 716 units, representing 5.6% of new car sales.
In an unusual move, GM did not allow consumers to purchase their electric vehicles but instead asked them to sign closed-end leases. This arrangement ended on 22 November 2002, after public protests by EV drivers' groups.
One of the last major milestones in the history of electricity was the development of lithium-ion battery technology, which has helped to improve the range and performance of electric vehicles.
