Did they have electricity in Bible times? — Susanna of Yukon, OK

Dear Susanna,

The answer to your question is both "Yes" and "No." You see, electricity is a natural part of our world. Humans just did not know what it was or how to use it until recent times.

Interestingly, the word "electricity" comes from the Greek word for amber (hardened tree sap). The Greeks in 600 B.C. discovered that if they rubbed a piece of amber across fur, it would attract bits of cork (like running a comb through your hair and using it to pick up pieces of paper). Although they didn't know it, they were using "static electricity."

Although lightning has been around from the beginning, it wasn't until Ben Franklin (1752) flew his kite in a storm that people were sure lightning was electricity. Ever since the days of Ben Franklin, though, we have learned more and more about electricity. Now, we can hardly imagine living without it!