The Technology that Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk
Starred review from August 1, 2017
On a windy day in June of 1752, Benjamin Franklin brought electricity to the world. Franklin's singular achievement changed the direction of modern life. Without this technological marvel, life as we know it would not exist. It's difficult to imagine this other version of life, to completely understand the true impact of the discovery of electricity. This book brings to life the fascinating story behind the people who transformed our world with their discoveries. Roach examines electricity's impact from four main angles. First, he looks at Franklin's discoveries and the technologies brought forward as a result of electricity, including the development of the telegraph. Roach also discusses electricity's economic impact, including the ability to distribute and pay for the service by increasing numbers of customers. There is also a look at the impact of electricity on our system of government, including the continuing battle between state and federal regulators. Well written and extremely accessible, Simply Electrifying provides a comprehensive history of this life-changing discovery and is a fascinating and deeply engaging look at how we live today and where we may be headed in the future.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)