The key figures in the history of electricity

Advances in electricity have played a pivotal role in the technification and modernisation process of humanity. This is because electricity has allowed us to innovate in all areas of life, from entertainment to medicine.

Over the centuries, several scientists and inventors have stood out for their contributions in the field of electricity. These are some of the most important figures:

Benjamin Franklin, the lightning tamer

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a US scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, publisher, and philanthropist. In addition, he was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

But we have selected Franklin for being one of the first researchers of electricity. His best-known experiment was the kite experiment which helped him establish the basic principles of electricity. His discoveries were a significant contribution in this field and have earned him international recognition.

He was the first to propose that lightning was a form of electricity and, as such, could be conducted, directed and manipulated. This idea was what resulted in the development of lightning rods.

Franklin also proposed the idea of static electricity, believing that it was a different form of electricity from dynamic electricity. This idea laid the foundations for the theory of electricity. Franklin also invented the first electricity meter, the glass globe meter. This device was the first electricity meter to measure the amount of electricity in a circuit.

His contributions to science and technological development have made him a central figure in the history of science.

Alessandro Volta, creating and storing electricity

Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) carried out his scientific work in Italy. He studied at the University of Pavia and in 1774 was appointed professor of physics.

Volta was among the first researchers to understand electricity. He observed static electricity and discovered the principle of polarised electricity, one of the foundations of modern electricity theory.

In 1780, Volta invented something that has gone down in history: the battery. It is the first device that produced electricity by joining two metals separated by a conductive liquid. The importance of this finding lies in the possibility of generating and storing energy artificially, which enabled the subsequent development of research into and the application of electricity. Volta was also the first to discover the chemical reaction that occurs when two different metals are joined. This reaction is known as the "Volta effect" and was instrumental in the development of electricity.

Michael Faraday, how electricity moves

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was a British scientist and physicist. He graduated from the Royal Institution of Great Britain in 1821 and was the first to discover the principle of electromagnetic induction. Faraday found that an electric current can generate a magnetic field and vice-versa. This is known as the principle of electromagnetic induction. This discovery is one of the cornerstones of modern electromagnetism.

In addition, he discovered the Faraday effect, a phenomenon that occurs when an electric current is applied to a coil of wire. This produces an electromotive force that causes the wire to move in one direction. The Faraday effect is what is used to generate electricity in generators.

Faraday also observed the phenomena of current induction, i.e. that an electric current can be induced to a conductor when it moves in a magnetic field or when it approaches or moves away from it. This phenomenon is applied to generate alternating current in transformers.

Finally, he discovered the Faraday-Lenz law on the conservation of energy in an electrical system. This finding implies that the work done to move an electric charge between two points is equal to the electricity stored between them. This is a basic principle in electricity efficiency.

Hertha Ayrton, finding out about and understanding electricity

Hertha Ayrton (1854-1923) was a British engineer, physicist, inventor and mathematician. She studied physics, chemistry and mathematics at Girton College at the University of Cambridge, where she became the first woman to obtain a degree at this university.

She was one of the first women to make a significant contribution to scientific research. His main contributions were focused on the field of electricity, in which she researched electric arcs and discovered their undulatory nature, which caused public lighting to be inconsistent, flickering and emitting crackles and whistles. Thanks to her discovery, we can now enjoy a continuous and steady electric current.

Another of her key findings was the undulatory nature of alternating current, developing a large number of applications for electricity such as current meters and electricity meters, among another twenty patents.

Thomas Edison, the inventor

Thomas Alba Edison (1847-1931) was a US inventor, scientist, entrepreneur and chemist.

Edison developed an electric power system consisting of a power plant, which generated electricity by means of a steam turbine, and a network of cables to transport electricity to homes. This allowed people to use electricity for many purposes, including lighting.

Edison was one of the most prolific inventors of his time. Among his most famous inventions are the electric light bulb, the phonograph, the kinetograph and the microphone.

Overall, Thomas Edison was one of the leading figures in the history of science and technology. His inventions changed how people lived and worked.

Nikola Tesla, how to get electricity to everyone

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was one of the leading inventors of the nineteenth century and among the most important inventors in human history. He was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and pursued his career in Serbia, Austria, Hungary, France and the United States.

Tesla was an innovator in the field of electricity and mechanics. His discoveries and contributions to science helped revolutionise the electricity industry and his legacy remains relevant to this day.

One of Tesla's main contributions was the idea of alternating current. This technology enabled electricity to be distributed over long distances and was key to the industrial revolution. Tesla also invented the alternating current motor, the first electric motor that used alternating current to produce movement.

His discoveries also contributed to the development of the gas discharge lamp, the steam turbine and the incandescent bulb. His contributions to the science of electricity made it possible for electrical power to be distributed throughout the world and enabled many of the technologies that we use today to be developed.

Charles Fritts, the future of renewables

Charles Fritts (1850-1903) was a US inventor who pioneered the development of the solar panel and was also among the first to research the use of electricity for energy.

In 1883, Fritts invented the first modern solar panel. He coated a thin layer of selenium onto a metal plate, then coated that selenium with a thin layer of gold-leaf film to create a device able to convert sunlight into electricity. Fritts was also one of the first to study the use of electricity in power production, proposing a solar power plant to supply electricity to New York, which was among the first proposals of its kind.

Fritts was also among the first to research the use of electricity for lighting and studied the use of electric lamps to illuminate buildings and streets.

Finally, he developed a way of storing electricity. This enabled users to store energy for later use. This technology has been used in many power systems over the years.

In summary, his discoveries and contributions helped advance the field of electricity and make electricity more accessible and safe for use.