The first person to harness electricity is often credited to Benjamin Franklin, who conducted his famous kite experiment in 1752. Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm and attached a metal key to the kite string. When lightning struck the kite, electricity traveled down the string to the key, proving that lightning was a form of electricity.
However, it’s important to note that while Franklin demonstrated the connection between lightning and electricity, he did not invent or discover electricity itself. Electricity had been observed and studied for centuries before Franklin’s experiment. For example, ancient Greeks discovered static electricity by rubbing amber with fur.
Franklin’s work laid the foundation for future scientists to explore and harness electricity for practical uses. His experiments and theories contributed significantly to the development of electrical science.