Bring in the Face

Today’s post is prompted by this ad,
Coupled with this article.  So without further ado . . .
I am proud to introduce you to the face of electricity generation: My favorite scientist, the one, the only, Michael Faraday.
Just look at him.
A few years ago I became mildly obsessed with Mr. Faraday, requesting three books about him for Christmas, but that's a story for another time.

Mr. Faraday was a self-taught scientist who discovered the connection between electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic induction, which paved the way for all electric motors. He was of very high, albeit religious in foundation, moral character and maintained a tremendous drive to understand the natural world.  His tradition of giving children’s Christmas Lectures at the Royal Institution remains to this day.  In short, he is a scientific god (although I’m certain he would be displeased at the appellation).
But I would be remiss if I did not bring in another face: that of Sir Charles Algernon Parsons, inventor of the steam turbine.

While I’m barely warm towards the image of Sir Parsons, it in no way diminishes my appreciation of his achievement regarding the development of the heat engine used in generating over 80% of the world’s electricity.

Contrary to the exhortations of the politicians and greenies, let alone the horrific combination of the two, it’s not about the gloss of getting the message out, but rather about life-sustaining productive work.

Comments

HaynesBE said…
Thanks for the post. I too love Faraday and his Christmas Lectures.
My son's favorite scientist is Nikola Tesla. Check him out too!
One of my favorites: Antoine Lavoisier (and his wife).
December 3, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Lynne said…
Have we had this conversation before? I love Lavoisier! Ask my daughters who both chose him as the subject for biographical sketches for my science class.

Tesla gives good face and clearly should have been included in the original post.
December 3, 2010 at 3:04 PM
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