The Shocking History of Electricity: 5 Surprising Facts

April 3, 2025

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April 3, 2025

(By FTJA Electric Company – Your Trusted Electrician in Massachusetts)

Electricity is so essential to modern life that it’s hard to imagine a world without it. But the story of how electricity became a part of our everyday lives is filled with fascinating discoveries and breakthroughs. If you’re curious about the history of electricity, here are five surprising facts that might shock you — brought to you by a team of trusted, licensed electricians in South Shore, Massachusetts.

1. The Ancient Greeks Discovered Static Electricity

Electricity has been known to humans for thousands of years! The ancient Greeks were the first to discover static electricity around 600 BC. They noticed that when they rubbed amber (a fossilized tree resin) with fur, it could attract lightweight objects like feathers. The word "electricity" even comes from the Greek word "elektron," meaning amber.

2. Benjamin Franklin Didn’t Invent Electricity

Many believe that Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity with his famous kite experiment in 1752. While his work showed that lightning is a form of electrical energy, earlier scientists like William Gilbert and Otto von Guericke had already studied it. Franklin’s legacy was proving lightning and electricity are one and the same — a fact that influences safe electrical installation practices even today.

3. Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla Had a “War of Currents”

One of the most famous rivalries in the electrical world was between Edison and Tesla. Edison backed direct current (DC), while Tesla promoted alternating current (AC). This "War of Currents" eventually ended in favor of AC, the system used in most homes today — and the same system handled by your local electrician near you when doing rewiring or service upgrades.

4. The First Electric Power Plant Was Built in 1882

Edison built the world’s first commercial electric power plant in 1882 in New York City. The Pearl Street Station marked the beginning of widespread electric power, which is now essential in every home or business. Whether it's a smart panel upgrade or an energy-efficient lighting system, today's electricians carry forward this legacy with modern tools and safety standards.

5. Electricity and Magnetism are Connected

In 1820, Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted discovered that electricity creates magnetic fields. This revelation led to electromagnetism, which powers modern motors, appliances, and renewable energy systems. It’s a discovery every licensed electrician in Massachusetts works with daily — whether installing an EV charger or troubleshooting motors in HVAC systems.

At FTJA Electric Company, Safety is Always First

As a fully licensed and insured electrical company based in Hingham and serving all of Massachusetts, FTJA Electric Company combines expert service with educational value. We don’t just perform the work — we help our clients understand it.

✅ Need a safe electrical installation?

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