Did you know?

• Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) developed the first lightning conductor after flying a kite in a thunderstorm. A spectacular but very dangerous experiment!
• The ampere is named after André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836). He discovered many of the mathematical principles of electromagnetism.
• Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is one of the most famous people involved in the discovery and harnessing of electromagnetic force.
• In 1831 Michael Faraday demonstrated electromagnetic force at the the Royal Institution in London, a famous centre for scientific education and research.
• Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was the first person to create a way of generating a constant current of electricity. His invention led to the power stations we know today.
• Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931 is one of the most successful inventors ever, applying for over 1,300 patents by 1910, mainly to do with electrical or mechanical development.
• The first turbine engines were designed by Charles Parson (1854-1931). Today turbine engines used to generate electricity are still based on his designs.
• At Deptford in 1891, electrical engineer Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti (1864-1930) designed and built the first power station and supply network. His basic system is still used around the world.
• In August 1887 the London Electric Supply Corporation commissioned Ferranti to build the first power station. Today our electricity supply is still based on the system that Ferranti designed.
• Save energy - Use energy efficient light bulbs and, when you are leaving a room empty, remember to turn the lights off.
• Save energy - Don't forget to switch your TV and computer off when you have finished using them.
• Today we still use words that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) introduced: battery, conductor, positive and negative charge, electric shock and electrician.
• Save energy - Finished playing on your games console or other equipment? Remember to switch off!
• Save energy - Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before you turn them on and use the lower temperature settings.
• Save energy - Boil just enough water for the number of hot drinks you want to make - that way you won't waste energy.
• Electric shock victims often can't let go of the thing that is passing the electric current into their body. That's because the electricity makes their muscles contract.
• Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - oil could run out in 30 years.
• Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - gas could run out in 40 years.
• Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - coal could run out in 250 years.
• Electricity used at home is metered in 'units' or kilowatt hours (kWh). Each unit is the same as 1,000 watts of electricity used for 1 hour. 1 unit = 1kWh.
• High voltage electricity is carried across the country by pylons and 'stepped down' for domestic use at substations. The National Grid supplies electricity all over the country.
• An electric eel can produce powerful electric shocks: up to 500 volts and one ampere of current (in other words, 500 watts).
• Modern power stations and steam turbines use the same engineering principles that James Watt (1736-1819) applied when he invented the steam engine.
• All electrical appliances are rated in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) ( One kilowatt is the same as 1,000 watts). You can use the ratings to compare how much electricity they use.
• In 15 minutes, the sun radiates as much energy onto Earth as all the people on the planet during an entire year. Just imagine if we could channel the sun's energy effectively!
• What is a watt? Why is it called a watt? It's a unit measuring electric power, named after James Watt (1736-1819).
• In 1771 Luigi Galvani used electricity to make a dead frog's leg jump!
• The Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) is best known for his work on electric current.
• In 1800 Alessandro Volta built the world's first battery from discs of copper and zinc sandwiched between cardboard moistened with a salty water.
• What is a volt? And why is it called a volt? The volt measures electromotive force. It was named after the Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
• In the 1780s, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery - all because of Luigi Galvani's experiments with dead frogs.