. Born on July 10, 1856, this Serbian-American physicist’s contributions to science went underappreciated for years. He did ground-breaking research in electric light, electric motors, radio, X-ray, remote control, radar, wireless communications, and robotics. His greatest gift to mankind was the form of electricity known as ‘Alternating Current’ (AC), which was maligned at that time because of his rival, Thomas Edison. Who was this world-changing inventor who is finally getting his due credit now?
Nicola Tesla
. During a lecture in 1820, Hans Christian Ørsted noticed a compass needle deflected from magnetic north when an electric current from a battery was switched on and off. His research showed that an electric current produces a circular magnetic field as it flows through a wire. This heralded the beginning of a new field that led to an innovation, which accelerated technology rapidly. What important scientific property is credited to Ørsted?
Electromagnetism
. This Italian physicist had two important scientific breakthroughs. First, he discovered methane, which led to the production of cheaper fuels. The other involved copper and zinc discs placed on top of each other with weak acid in between. With this invention he proved that electricity could be generated chemically and debunked the theory that electricity was generated solely by living beings. He was honoured by having the SI unit of electric potential named after him. Who was this scientist and what was the name of his invention that brought about a revolution?
Alessandro Volta, Battery
