Florida State University
Florida State University: Magnet Lab: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1750 1774
With his famous kite experiment and other forays into science, Benjamin Franklin advances knowledge of electricity, inspiring his English friend Joseph Priestley to do the same.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1880 1889
Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison duke it out over the best way to transmit electricity and Heinrich Hertz is the first person (unbeknownst to him) to broadcast and receive radio waves.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1870 1879
The telephone and first practical incandescent light bulb are invented while the word "electron" enters the scientific lexicon.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1850 1869
The Industrial Revolution is in full force, Gramme invents his dynamo and James Clerk Maxwell formulates his series of equations on electrodynamics.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1840 1849
The legendary Faraday forges on with his prolific research and the telegraph reaches a milestone when a message is sent between Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1830 1839
The first telegraphs are constructed and Michael Faraday produces much of his brilliant and enduring research into electricity and magnetism, inventing the first primitive transformer and generator.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1820 1829
Hans Christian Orsted's accidental discovery that an electrical current moves a compass needle rocks the scientific world; a spate of experiments follows, immediately leading to the first electromagnet and electric motor.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1800 1819
Alessandro Volta invents the first primitive battery, discovering that electricity can be generated through chemical processes; scientists quickly seize on the new tool to invent electric lighting. Meanwhile, a profound insight into the...
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1775 1799
Scientists take important steps toward a fuller understanding of electricity, as well as some fruitful missteps, including an elaborate but incorrect theory on animal magnetism that sets the stage for a groundbreaking invention.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1700 1749
Aided by tools such as static electricity machines and Leyden jars, scientists continue their experiments into the fundamentals of magnetism and electricity.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1890 1899
Scientists discover and probe x-rays and radioactivity, while inventors compete to build the first radio.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1960 1979
Computers evolve into PCs, researchers discover one new subatomic particle after another and the space age gives our psyches and science a new context.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1940 1959
Defense-related research leads to the computer, the world enters the atomic age and TV conquers America.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1930 1939
New tools such as special microscopes and the cyclotron take research to higher levels, while average citizens enjoy novel amenities such as the FM radio.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1910 1929
Scientists' understanding of the structure of the atom and of its component particles grows, the phone and radio become common, and the modern television is born.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1600 1699
The Scientific Revolution takes hold, facilitating the groundbreaking work of luminaries such as William Gilbert, who took the first truly scientific approach to the study of magnetism and electricity and wrote extensively of his findings.
Physics Central
American Physical Society: A Century of Physics
This site presents year-by-year timeline of physics discoveries during the twentieth century. Just click on "Timeline," for a complete summary of physics history since 1896.