The Story of Electricity: Our Encounter with Light

Electricity Already Existed in Nature

Electricity existed in nature long before humans discovered it. Lightning struck across the sky, and massive electrical discharges occurred when clouds rubbed against each other. Even some animals — such as electric eels — could generate their own electricity. But for a long time, humans did not understand what this power was.

Earliest Signs of Electricity in Antiquity

In the 600s BCE, the ancient Greek philosopher Thales noticed something curious when he rubbed amber with wool: small feathers stuck to the amber! This was one of the first observations of electricity. Today we call this static electricity.

A Dangerous Experiment in the Sky – Benjamin Franklin

In the 18th century, American scientist Benjamin Franklin conducted a bold experiment to prove that lightning was a form of electricity. On a stormy day, he flew a kite with a metal key attached and established a connection between lightning and electrical charge.

⚠ Warning: Franklin’s experiment is extremely dangerous. It must never be attempted at home or outdoors!

Electric Current and Faraday’s Great Discovery

In the 19th century, Michael Faraday discovered that moving magnets could generate an electric current inside a coil of wire.

Thanks to this discovery, electricity was no longer just a phenomenon observed in nature; it became a form of energy that could be produced and transmitted to homes, factories, and cities.

The Birth of the Modern World

After Faraday’s discovery, inventors such as Thomas Edison entered the scene. Edison developed the light bulb and in 1882 built the world’s first power station in New York. Cities were now illuminated even at night!

Electricity made telegraphs, telephones, radios, and later computers possible.

How Would Our Lives Be Without Electricity?

Without electricity, we would sit in darkness at night, be unable to store food in refrigerators, and could not conduct research online. In short, life without electricity would not be as fast or comfortable as it is today.