This famous English physicist and chemist was born on September 22, 1791. Faraday is best known for his understanding of and experimentation with electromagnetism.

He discovered that electricity could be made by moving a magnet inside a wire coil, resulting in him being able to build the first electric motor. From this knowledge he later built the first generator and transformer. Faraday's experiments and discovery of electromagnetic induction paved the way for changing mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Faraday also introduced words we still use today in the electric trade:

• ion
  
• electrode
  
• electrolytes
  
• cathode
  
• anode

In his honor a unit of electricity was also named after him, the farad.

As a Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution in London, England, Faraday would lecture for groups of children every Christmas. The Faraday Lectures were very popular and crowded with enthusiastic and curious children of all ages and adults as well. As a tradition, the lectures continue today at the Royal Institution.