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Hall of FameLearn about the pioneers of electrical technology.
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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.
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.
Ernst Julius Berg - developed two way wireless audio communication. Worked on AC power. 
Charles F. Brush - pioneered Generators, lamps, trolleys and an early profitable industry. 
Edith Clarke - pioneer in electrical engineering and mathematics 
William D. Coolidge - improved and improved and invented many technologies including the electric light and x-ray. 
William Emmet - pioneer in the steam turbine, naval propulsion, motors and generators 
Albert Hull - invented the magnetron (radar) and advanced vacuum tubes (used in many applications) 
Irving Langmuir - chemist, physicist, improved many inventions. Invented cloud seeding and the high vacuum tube. 
CW Rice - developed the loudspeaker, early radar, and other technologies 
William Stanley - inventor of the first modern transformer, heart of the AC power system. 
Charles P. Steinmetz - pioneer of AC power systems, first person to understand AC power mathematically. 
Nikola Tesla - improved upon many technologies, most notably AC power. 
JJ Thomson - physicist. Worked with cathode rays, induction, radioactivity.
Other Innovators of Note:
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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.
2. Pioneers of AC power:
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