Who Discovered Electricity? A Look Back at the Shocking Origins of Power

We use electricity every day — but who actually discovered it? The journey to modern power started long before wires and light bulbs. Let’s take a quick trip through the surprising history of how electricity came to life.

⚗️ 1. Ancient Sparks – Early Observations

• As early as 600 B.C., the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus noticed static electricity by rubbing amber with fur.
• In ancient Egypt and Rome, there are records of people describing electric fish as “shocking.”

🧲 2. Benjamin Franklin – The Famous Kite Experiment

• In 1752, Benjamin Franklin flew a kite with a key during a thunderstorm.
• He proved that lightning and electricity were the same — a bold (and dangerous) experiment that made history.

🧪 3. Alessandro Volta – The First Battery

• In 1800, Volta created the Voltaic Pile — the world’s first electrical battery.
• His name lives on in “volt,” the unit of electric potential.

💡 4. Thomas Edison vs. Nikola Tesla – The Current Wars

• Edison developed direct current (DC) and invented the electric lightbulb.
• Tesla championed alternating current (AC), which powers most of our homes today.
• The battle between AC and DC shaped the future of modern electricity.

🚀 5. From History to Your Home

From kites in thunderstorms to powering entire cities, electricity has come a long way. Every time you flip a switch, you’re using the results of centuries of discovery and innovation.

✍️ Fun Fact:

The first U.S. home wired with electricity was in 1882. Today, we rely on it for nearly everything — and the technology keeps evolving.