Who initiated the study of electricity in ancient history?

The Greeks are credited with initiating the study of electricity, particularly through the work of philosophers like Thales of Miletus in the 6th century BCE. Thales discovered that rubbing amber (a fossilized tree resin) with fur caused it to attract lighter objects like feathers, a phenomenon we now understand as static electricity. This observation laid the groundwork for later investigations into electric phenomena, marking a significant early interest in the nature of electricity.

The Greeks continued to explore various natural forces, leading to further theories and studies. Their philosophical approach to understanding natural phenomena paved the way for later scientific inquiry, establishing them as pioneers in the field of electricity long before the more systematic approaches developed in later centuries. This early foundation ultimately influenced later cultures and studies, leading to advancements that shaped our modern understanding of electricity.