Electric Universe

How Electricity Switched on the Modern World

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Electricity, Other Sciences, History, Technology, Engineering
Cover of the book Electric Universe by David Bodanis, Crown/Archetype
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Bodanis ISBN: 9781400050604
Publisher: Crown/Archetype Publication: February 15, 2005
Imprint: Broadway Books Language: English
Author: David Bodanis
ISBN: 9781400050604
Publisher: Crown/Archetype
Publication: February 15, 2005
Imprint: Broadway Books
Language: English

The bestselling author of E=mc2 weaves tales of romance, divine inspiration, and fraud through an account of the invisible force that permeates our universe—electricity—and introduces us to the virtuoso scientists who plumbed its secrets.

For centuries, electricity was seen as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. In harnessing its power, we have created a world of wonders—complete with roller coasters and radar, computer networks and psychopharmaceuticals.

In Electric Universe, the great discoverers come to life in all their brilliance and idiosyncrasy, including the visionary Michael Faraday, who struggled against the prejudices of the British class system, and Samuel Morse, a painter who, before inventing the telegraph, ran for mayor of New York City on a platform of persecuting Catholics. Here too is Alan Turing, whose dream of a marvelous thinking machine—what we know as the computer—was met with indifference, and who ended his life in despair after British authorities forced him to undergo experimental treatments to “cure” his homosexuality.

From the frigid waters of the Atlantic to the streets of Hamburg during a World War II firestorm to the interior of the human body, Electric Universe is a mesmerizing journey of discovery.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The bestselling author of E=mc2 weaves tales of romance, divine inspiration, and fraud through an account of the invisible force that permeates our universe—electricity—and introduces us to the virtuoso scientists who plumbed its secrets.

For centuries, electricity was seen as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. In harnessing its power, we have created a world of wonders—complete with roller coasters and radar, computer networks and psychopharmaceuticals.

In Electric Universe, the great discoverers come to life in all their brilliance and idiosyncrasy, including the visionary Michael Faraday, who struggled against the prejudices of the British class system, and Samuel Morse, a painter who, before inventing the telegraph, ran for mayor of New York City on a platform of persecuting Catholics. Here too is Alan Turing, whose dream of a marvelous thinking machine—what we know as the computer—was met with indifference, and who ended his life in despair after British authorities forced him to undergo experimental treatments to “cure” his homosexuality.

From the frigid waters of the Atlantic to the streets of Hamburg during a World War II firestorm to the interior of the human body, Electric Universe is a mesmerizing journey of discovery.

More books from Engineering

Cover of the book Historical Earthquake-Resistant Timber Frames in the Mediterranean Area by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Optimization Using Evolutionary Algorithms and Metaheuristics by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Practical Design of Experiments - Doe Made Easy by David Bodanis
Cover of the book From Complexity in the Natural Sciences to Complexity in Operations Management Systems by David Bodanis
Cover of the book The Practitioner's Guide to Project Management: Simple, Effective Techniques that Deliver Business Value by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Cost and Value Management in Projects by David Bodanis
Cover of the book The Independent Inventor's Handbook by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Mechanik für Ingenieurinnen by David Bodanis
Cover of the book X-Ray Computed Tomography in Biomedical Engineering by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Monte Carlo Particle Transport Methods by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Resource Allocation in Uplink OFDMA Wireless Systems by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Ground Penetrating Radar by David Bodanis
Cover of the book An Applied Guide to Process and Plant Design by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Computational Biomechanics for Medicine by David Bodanis
Cover of the book Perspectives and Techniques for Improving Information Technology Project Management by David Bodanis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy