Franklin's Kite Experiment
Benjamin Franklin flew a kite in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is electrical in nature, a pivotal moment in the study of electricity.
1752
1800
Volta's Battery
Alessandro Volta invents the voltaic pile, the first true battery, providing a continuous source of electricity for experimentation and application.
1831
Faraday Discovers Electromagnetic Induction
Michael Faraday's discovery laid the groundwork for electric motors, transformers, and all of modern electrical engineering.
1873
Discovery of Photoconductivity in Selenium
Willoughby Smith discovered selenium's photoconductivity, later important in photocells and solar panels.
1876
Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone, enabling real-time voice communication over long distances for the first time.
1879
Light Bulb
Thomas Edison improves and patents the practical incandescent light bulb, revolutionizing lighting across the world.
1887
Radio Waves
Heinrich Hertz proves the existence of radio waves, laying the foundation for wireless communication technologies.
1904
Invention of the Vacuum Tube Diode
John Ambrose Fleming invents the first vacuum tube diode, enabling signal detection in radios.
1906
Radio Broadcasting
Reginald Fessenden makes the first radio audio broadcast, ushering in the era of wireless mass communication.
1927
Television
The first successful demonstration of a fully electronic television system marks a new chapter in visual media and entertainment.
1947
Invention of the Transistor
Bardeen, Brattain, and Shockley create the first transistor at Bell Labs — marking the birth of modern electronics.
1958
First Integrated Circuit
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce independently invent the IC — enabling miniaturization and complexity in electronics.
1971
Introduction of the Microprocessor
Intel releases the 4004, the first microprocessor — a complete CPU on a single chip, powering early computers.
1975
Personal Computer
Introduction of the first widely available personal computers empowers individuals and small businesses with computing capabilities.
1983
Mobile Phone
The first mobile phone goes on sale, changing communication forever and paving the way for mobile computing.
1989
World Wide Web
Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web, transforming the internet into a global platform for information and communication.
2007
The Smartphone Era Begins
Apple introduces the iPhone, fusing communication, computing, and sensors — a leap forward in consumer electronics.
2010
Tablet Computing
The rise of touchscreen tablets like the iPad creates a new category of mobile device, combining the portability of smartphones with larger screens.
2012
Wearable Technology
Smartwatches and fitness trackers gain popularity, integrating computing into everyday accessories and enhancing personal health tracking.
2020s
AI and Quantum Computing
The 2020s witness rapid advancement in artificial intelligence and early development of quantum computing, signaling a new era in electronics and computation.