Category: History of Science

  • Georg Matthias Bose: Crazy Experiments of the Enlightenment

    Am I really going to light a fire with my bare finger?  Of course, I am!  But I am not just going to do it because it is cool, but also because I am copying an electronic wizard named Matthias Bose who came up with this trick over 280 years ago!  How did that transform…

  • How Static Electricity Works

    How did gold lead to the first rules of electricity? And, why is it ½ correct? What is correct and what was incorrect?  Well, I’ll tell you and along the way, I’ll talk about how static electricity works, why it doesn’t work on humid days, and why it often flows away and confuses us.  Table…

  • The True Father of Electricity: Stephen Gray

    On May 1, 1729 a retired clothing dyer noticed a single feather moving in a strange way which changed the course of history. How did a single feather change the course of history?  Well, I’ll tell you and along the way, I will talk about class prejudice, the true father of electricity, electrifying hot pokers,…

  • How the Inquisition led to the Vacuum Pump

    How in the world would the inquisition lead to the invention of the vacuum pump?  And what does that have to do with electricity?  I’ll tell you and along the way. I will also talk about heavy air, an impatient Duke, a panicked Galileo, unfortunate facial hair, air superglue, an impressive demonstration with 24 horses,…