William Gilbert first coined the term electricity in 1600. The terms magnetic pole, electric attraction and electric force was first used by him. Benjamin Franklin through his well known experiment of flying a kite during thunderstorm discovered electricity in 1752. The modern practical method of generating electricity was found in 1800 by Alessandro Volta of Italy.

Electricity was not an invention, in-fact it had been discovered as static electricity by the Geeks. A 600 BC chronicle of Thales of Miletus refers to his observation on the ancient Geeks discovery where they were able to produce static electricity by rubbing the ambers. The invention took place later on at different periods. A rapid progress in electrical engineering is seen in the early 19th century.