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1. Master list, by century
Founders of the Electrical Age 1750 - 1850
This period was a beginning of electrical experimentation and advanced science. Early important concepts such as conductivity and electromagnetism were discovered and tested. Batteries and electric motors were first developed but electric power was not yet commercially successful. Without commercial incentive the numbers of talented minds working with electricity in the world population was limited as well as the understanding of the science of electricity. The few founding fathers of electrical experimentation in this 100 year period were truly in an era of discovery.
Top featured engineers (in alphabetical order):
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Inventor of the first powerful electric motor. |
Pioneer in electromagnetism. Creator of the first electric device for the commercial use. |
| Other notable pioneers: | |
| Nicholas Callan | Luigi Aloisio Galvani |
| Sanford Moss | Eliphalet Nott |
| Hans Christian Ørsted | William Sturgeon |
The Golden Age 1850 - 1950
This period witnessed the exponential growth of scientific knowledge which allowed for engineering some incredibly complex and large scale feats in the world of engineering and power. We saw electric power go from an experimental stage with failed commercial attempts, to an extremely profitable industry. Improvements in science and communication allowed for the rapid growth of new inventions and uses of electricity. The difference between the life of average citizens 1850 to 1950 was perhaps the most dramatic change in the history of humankind. Industrialization and automation would not be possible to this level without the development of electric power and it's myriad of applications. We owe our modern quality of life to the work of some great engineers.
Featured Engineers:
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Developed two way wireless audio communication. Worked on AC power. |
Over 1000 patents from consumer goods to industrial needs |
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Invented the magnetron (radar) and advanced vacuum tubes (used in many applications) |
Chemist, physicist, improved many inventions. Invented cloud seeding and the high vacuum tube. |
AC power systems pioneer. Leader of the electrical industry. |
Developed the loudspeaker, early radar, and other technologies |
Pioneer in the DC electric motor, trolly systems |
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Pioneer of AC power systems, first person to understand AC power mathematically. |
Improved upon many technologies, most notably AC power. |
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More to come.
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| More greats of engineering: | |
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Modern Pioneers 1950 - 2050 The modern age of electricity is marked with great feats made possible by advanced forms of electrical technology. Computers and aerospace achievements take the highest profile, however many more simple advancements in the everyday home have resulted in some the greatest benefit for quality of life. Engineering has also played a key part in advancing medicine through testing and imaging devices. Featured Engineers: (we will expand this section with time)
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To learn about the pioneers by the technology they worked on, go to Resources page.
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Elihu
Thomson - perhaps the greatest "unknown" pioneer of
electric power
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E.
W. Rice and Thomas Edison
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Mouse-over or click on the Iarge Below to learn about each individual:
Above: Notable Scientists and Engineers at New Brunswick, NJ 1921: Names in Yellow are Schenectady-Based Engineers/Scientists
Below: Lord Kelvin visiting General Electric in Schenectady
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This section will expand over time.
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Other related topics:
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 Great Barrington 1886 The first AC power distribution system by William Stanley |
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Sources:
"Men and Volts" by John Hammond
"Workshop of Engineers" by John Miller
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