Who discovered electricity?
The history of electricity begins with William Gilbert , a physician who served Queen Elizabeth the first of England. Before William Gilbert, all that was known about electricity and magnetism was that the lodestone possessed magnetic properties, and that rubbing amber and jet would attract bits of stuff to start sticking. In 1600, William Gilbert published his treatise De magnete, Magneticisique Corporibus (On the Magnet). Printed in scholarly Latin, the book explained years of Gilbert's research and experiments on electricity and magnetism. Gilbert raised the interest in the new science greatly. It was Gilbert who coined the expression "electrica" in his famous book.
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67 Comments
Gary Gibson
Let's not try to change history at this late date. Next we will be told that Columbus did not discover America. How could he the Indians were already here.
Derek K. Dixon
Needless to say Gilbert didn't "invent" anything. He is given credit for discovering it and that's certainly not the legit truth either. We know these historic accounts of discoveries are based on who holds control of the medium. Plenty of older civilizations used this power in responsible ways before Gilbert was around.
James Whiting
Yes indeed. ..poorly worded question. It already existed so he could not invent it. Who allows questions like this to be posted?
AnnaLee Sellars
Alright, if Quiz Club is going to play it like this *sigh* .... It is a natural occurrence therefore, GOD CREATED IT! These guys are really getting on my nerves with their answers and wording.
William Knickerbocker
And so....what was it that Alesandro Volta discover? The early Greeks discover "static electricity" - Gilbert, Franklin, etc, studied the behavor of sudden, violent discharge of electricity but then Volta?
Jack Kircher
They could have stumped even more people had they placed the name, "Benjamin Franklin," since most people go through life thinking it was he. What he proved with his kite experement was that lightning WAS electisity.
John McLardie
Izet Balagić, no. It wasn't. He proved that lightning was a form of electricity.
john duckett
James Whiting, perhaps worthwhile to reread the question - Who discovered electricity? So nothing about inventing.
Denise Currie
AnnaLee Sellars, I am the same, I keep reporting them but nothing gets done. I just get a notification saying thanks for reporting this and that is it, no conclusion
Denise Currie
Used double chance and fell into the trap of Faraday first but then got the correct one by eliminating the other two
lls
William Knickerbocker, I agree with the ancient Greeks. Was very surprised to not seem them as an answer possibility.
David Holmes
Algernon Bhoomz, Edison actually improved on something that that already existed. I think it was Swan who made the first ones. Edison's team improved on it and made it cheaper.
David Holmes
Johnny Rock, Edison, that's a joke. Electricity was in use long before him, Edison' original job was as as a telegrapher. The telegraph was electric.
Albeck1994
James Whiting, the question says DISCOVERED
Albeck1994
Marc Chabot, well your be wrong then too
Albeck1994
jcdangusa, nope Gilbert first coined the term and wrote a thesis on it, Franklin picked it up with more research, Tesla ran with how to harness and produce it for useful purposes, as did Watt, Volta, Faraday etc but it started with Gilbert
Albeck1994
Johnny Rock, Edison doesn't even come near it
Albeck1994
William Knickerbocker, nope Gilbert first coined the term and wrote a thesis on it, Franklin picked it up with more research, Tesla ran with how to harness and produce it for useful purposes, as did Watt, Volta, Faraday etc but it started with Gilbert
Albeck1994
Carlos Cruz, got it wrong did we
Albeck1994
Algernon Bhoomz, actually he stole the light bulb from it's true creator
Albeck1994
Jim Hill, nope Gilbert first coined the term and wrote a thesis on it, Franklin picked it up with more research, Tesla ran with how to harness and produce it for useful purposes, as did Watt, Volta, Faraday etc but it all started with Gilber
Albeck1994
Bill McCallie, nope Gilbert first coined the term and wrote a thesis on it, Franklin picked it up with more research, Tesla ran with how to harness and produce it for useful purposes, as did Watt, Volta, Faraday etc but it all started with Gilbert