"One day, sir, you will tax it." —Michael Faraday, on being asked by Prime Minister Gladstone who was visiting Faraday’s laboratory if electricity would ever have practical significance. (Quoted in Science, 1994)

"This room is equipped with Edison electric light. Do not attempt to light with match. Simply turn key on wall by the door. The use of electricity for lighting is in no way harmful to health, nor does it affect the soundness of sleep."

—A message on public buildings and homes in America in 1878, when electric lights started being installed in them.

"The greatest thing on earth is to have the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your home."

—An American farmer when his house was powered during the rural electrification drive in the 1930s.

Electrifying Throne: In 1890 Emperor Menelik II of Abyssinia ordered for three American electric chairs as part of his national modernization programme. When the chairs arrived, His Highness was shocked to learn that they wouldn’t work because Abyssinia had no electricity. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, he adopted one of them for his imperial throne!

Bird On Live Wire: A bird can sit on a power line without getting electrocuted because it’s not making a complete circuit so the electricity doesn’t pass through its body. The electricity doesn’t flow through the bird’s legs because it wants to find the easiest way to complete the circuit and that’s along the power line. If the bird was touching two lines or had one leg on the ground the circuit would be complete and the electricity would flow through the bird – killing it.

Jumping Electricity: Electricity can jump. That’s why you should never try climbing power poles or power pylons. Even though you may be some distance from the lines, the electricity can jump from the lines and electrocute you.

"I have accomplished all I promised."
— Thomas Edison

(To New York Sun reporter in 1882)

"Use Your Electricity For More Than Light." — a store catalogue in 1917.

Alternating Current: In a small village in north India, one week they have daytime electricity and the following week it is nighttime power. Maybe because of this lack of constant "modernity" people gather at the local tea shop (everybody has a running bill) and they drink tea hours on end and talk.