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Gilbert coin's the term "electricity"
William Gilbert is the first person to invent the term electricity when describing earth's magnetic field and realizing that there is a relationship between magnetism and electricity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gilbert_(astronomer) -
Wimshurst Machine
Wimshurst machine is invented, which is able to produce static electricity easily and reliably using two parallel plates rotated in opposite directions. These plates produce a charge around the edges which is then collected by a system of combs and able to create voltages as high as 50,000V. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimshurst_machine -
Kite Experiment
Benjamin Franklin flies a kite attached to a landen jar and proves that lightning is a form of electricity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kite_experiment -
Voltaic Pile
Volta creates first simple battery which could continuously provide an electric current to a circuit. It was created using pure silver and zinc discs sandwiched between muslin damped in a salt solution. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaic_pile -
Magnetic Fields Caused by Electricity
Hans Christian Oersted discovered that when electricity flows through a wire, it produces a magnetic fields by observing the affects of a needle on a nearby compass. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Ørsted -
DC Electric Generator
Thomas Edison built a direct current electric generator which converts mechanical rotation into electric power. https://ethw.org/Generators -
AC Motor
Nikola Tesla developed alternating current motor and system of AC power generation. Able to power more things than DC generator, quickly became established power supply in US. https://ethw.org/Generators -
First Turbine Built
Charles Parsons built the first turbine, a type of engine which is operated by extracting thermal energy from pressurized steam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_turbine -
Hydroelectric Power Generators at Niagara Falls
Tesla's hydroelectric power generators at Niagara Falls begin operating. Within a few years they were supplying electricity to New York City for the elevated railways, subways, and some lights on Broadway. https://www.teslasociety.com/exhibition.htm -
First National Electrical Grid
Charles Merz builds and develops the largest integrated power system in Europe. He was then appointed head of a Parliamentary Committee which led to the creation of the Electricity Supply Act, which established and allowed the use of the first national electrical grid. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_grid -
First Large-Scale Nuclear Power Station
The world's first large-scale nuclear power station opens in Calder Hall in Cumbria, England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_plant -
First Commercial Wave Power Station
Land-Installed Marine-Powered Energy Transformer becomes world's first commercial wave power station on Island of Islay, Scotland, began to generate electricity. Can provide enough electricity for 400 homes. https://www.edie.net/news/0/Worlds-first-commercial-wave-power-station-activated-in-Scotland/3492/
