Heroes of electricity

Esther Conwell (1922-2014)

American. An industrial scientist, university professor, researcher and physicist, she explained how electrons travel through silicon and semiconductors, which helped revolutionize computing. Her 1997 Edison Medal cited her work for helping the semiconductor, electronic copying and printing industries. 

Quote: “I like to solve puzzles. I like to think about new things. Things that are not familiar.”

Esther Conwell talks about her work -- and solving puzzles -- in this video.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

German-American. “He completely changed the way we understand the behavior of things,” says famousscientists.org, “as basic as light, gravity, and time.” His E = mc2 is the most famous equation in the world. He proved that atoms and molecules exist and rewrote the laws of gravity.

Quote: “As a human being, one has been endowed with just enough intelligence to be able to see clearly how utterly inadequate that intelligence is when confronted with what exists.”

Michael Faraday (1791-1867)

British. First person to produce an electric current from a magnetic field, invented the first electric motor and dynamo.  In 1831, Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind the electric transformer and generator.

Quote: “The important thing is to know how to take all things quietly.”

Storm (1975-)

Mutant. Marvel Comic’s Ororo Munroe is a descendant of African priestesses, all of whom have white hair, blue eyes, and, according to Marvel, the potential to wield magic. She can control the weather. She’s a hero of electricity because she can make lightning and electromagnetic atmospheric phenomena. And, she can fly.

Quote: “You counter despair with hope. You strive forever for the best you are capable to be! Therein lies the victory!”

Nicola Tesla (1856-1943)

Serbian-American. Developed the alternating current electric distribution system while working for Westinghouse, which overtook his rival Thomas Edison’s direct current system. His other contributions include wireless energy transfer to power electronic devices, development of generators and turbine design and fluorescent lighting.

Quote: “Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more.”