Gray, Stephen
Published: December 28, 2006, 8:31 pm
Updated: December 28, 2006, 8:31 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Stephen Gray (1666-1736), a British chemist credited with discovering the flow of electricity in 1729. In the 1730s, Gray conducted experiments demonstrating that some materials, such as wet hemp, could conduct the static charges of electricity for distances as great as 765 feet, while others, such as silk thread, did not conduct electricity at all. From these experiments, Gray showed that electrification is a surface effect and that electricity will move freely along some materials (conductors)—a fundamental principle applied in the development of the telegraph.
Further Reading
Stephen Gray - Biography (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Chemistry)
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Gray, Stephen". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth December 28, 2006; Last revised Date December 28, 2006; Retrieved May 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Gray,_Stephen>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Stephen Gray (1666-1736), a British chemist credited with discovering the flow of electricity in 1729. In the 1730s, Gray conducted experiments demonstrating that some materials, such as wet hemp, could conduct the static charges of electricity for distances as great as 765 feet, while others, such as silk thread, did not conduct electricity at all. From these experiments, Gray showed that electrification is a surface effect and that electricity will move freely along some materials (conductors)—a fundamental principle applied in the development of the telegraph.
Further Reading
Stephen Gray - Biography (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Chemistry)
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