# Strategic Report: Reinventing Electricity in the Past ## Executive Summary **Mission**: Travel to 1650 CE Europe to introduce electricity 230 years early **Key Innovation**: Start with simple batteries and electromagnets, demonstrate practical applications **Primary Target**: The Royal Society of London (founded 1660) **First Demonstration**: Electric lighting and telegraph system **Timeline**: 6 months to first demonstration, 2-3 years to establish industry --- ## 1. HISTORICAL PERIOD SELECTION ### **Recommended Time: 1650-1660 CE, England** ### Justification: - **Scientific Revolution in Progress**: Natural philosophy accepted, experimentation valued - **Metallurgy Available**: Copper, iron, lead, zinc readily available - **Glass Manufacturing**: Advanced enough for bulbs and insulators - **Political Stability**: Post-English Civil War, monarchy restored - **Economic Resources**: Growing merchant class can fund development - **Communication Networks**: Printing press established, ideas spread quickly - **Pre-Industrial**: No competing electrical theories or vested interests ### Why Not Earlier: - Pre-1600: Witch trial risk too high, materials harder to obtain - Pre-1500: Lack of scientific method, guild systems too restrictive ### Why Not Later: - Post-1750: Too close to actual discovery (1752 Franklin, 1800 Volta) - Miss opportunity to accelerate Industrial Revolution --- ## 2. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS ### Core Electrical Concepts You Must Understand: #### **A. Fundamental Theory** - **Electric Charge**: Matter contains positive (protons) and negative (electrons) charges - **Current**: Flow of electrons through a conductor, measured in amperes - **Voltage**: Electrical "pressure" that pushes electrons, measured in volts - **Resistance**: Opposition to electron flow, measured in ohms - **Ohm's Law**: Voltage = Current × Resistance (V = I × R) #### **B. Chemical Knowledge** - **Electrolytes**: Solutions that conduct electricity (salt water, acid solutions) - **Oxidation-Reduction**: Chemical reactions that transfer electrons - **Basic Chemistry**: - Acids: Sulfuric (from sulfur + saltpeter), Acetic (vinegar) - Bases: Lye (wood ash + water), Lime (heated limestone) - Salts: Table salt, copper sulfate (blue vitriol) #### **C. Magnetism Basics** - **Electromagnetic Induction**: Moving magnets near coils generates electricity - **Electromagnets**: Electric current through coils creates magnetic fields - **Right-Hand Rule**: Direction of magnetic field around current-carrying wire #### **D. Practical Skills** - **Wire Drawing**: Pulling metal through dies to make wire - **Soldering**: Using lead-tin alloy to join metals - **Glass Blowing**: Basic techniques for making bulbs - **Chemical Preparation**: Mixing acids, purifying materials --- ## 3. TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ### **Phase 1: Build Your First Battery (Week 1-2)** #### **The Voltaic Pile Design** **Materials Needed:** - **Copper coins** or sheets (from coppersmiths) - **Zinc sheets** (from zinc ore - calamine, found in England) - **Felt or leather** (from tanners) - **Salt water** or **vinegar** (readily available) - **Wire**: Draw from copper using dies **Step-by-Step Construction:** 1. **Prepare Metal Discs** - Cut copper into 20 circles, 2 inches diameter - Cut zinc into 20 matching circles - Polish all surfaces with sand and cloth 2. **Prepare Electrolyte Pads** - Cut felt into 20 circles slightly larger than metal discs - Soak in strong brine (1 part salt to 3 parts water) - Alternative: Use vinegar-soaked leather 3. **Stack the Battery** - Start with copper disc on bottom - Place wet felt pad on copper - Place zinc disc on felt - Repeat: copper-felt-zinc pattern - End with zinc on top 4. **Connect Terminals** - Attach copper wire to bottom copper disc (positive) - Attach copper wire to top zinc disc (negative) - Insulate sides with wax or pitch **Expected Output**: ~20 volts, enough to feel a shock ### **Phase 2: Create Wire and Insulators (Week 2-3)** #### **Making Copper Wire** 1. **Source Materials** - Buy copper sheets from metalworkers - Or: Extract from copper ore using charcoal furnace 2. **Draw Wire Using Dies** - Make steel drawing dies: - Heat iron rod red-hot - Hammer point to desired wire thickness - Quench in water to harden - Drill/punch hole through point - Pull copper through progressively smaller holes - Anneal (heat and cool) between draws to prevent breaking 3. **Insulate Wire** - Coat with tree resin dissolved in alcohol - Alternative: Wrap with silk thread - Later: Use gutta-percha (tree sap) when available ### **Phase 3: Build Demonstration Devices (Week 3-6)** #### **Device 1: Electric Light** **Materials:** - Glass bulb (commission from glassblower) - Carbonized thread (heat linen in sealed container) - Copper wire leads - Sealing wax **Construction:** 1. **Prepare Filament** - Take linen thread, 2 inches long - Pack in iron box with charcoal powder - Heat in forge until thread carbonizes - Result: Carbon filament 2. **Prepare Bulb** - Commission glassblower to make bulb with narrow neck - Insert two copper wires through neck - Attach carbon filament between wires inside - Evacuate air by burning paper inside, quickly seal 3. **Connect to Battery** - Requires 10+ voltaic cells in series - Will glow dim orange (not bright, but visible) #### **Device 2: Electromagnet** **Materials:** - Iron rod (horseshoe shape preferred) - Insulated copper wire (100+ feet) - Battery **Construction:** 1. Wrap iron core with paper 2. Wind copper wire around core 200+ times 3. Connect to battery 4. Demonstrate lifting iron objects #### **Device 3: Simple Telegraph** **Materials:** - Two electromagnets - Iron lever/clapper - Wire for connection - Battery **Construction:** 1. Mount electromagnet vertically 2. Place iron lever near magnet, pivoted to move 3. When current flows, lever clicks against stop 4. Run wires to distant location 5. Pressing switch causes click at receiver --- ## 4. SOCIAL ENGINEERING STRATEGY ### **Target Audiences (In Order)** #### **1. Natural Philosophers (Scientists)** **First Contact**: Robert Boyle (if pre-1660) or Royal Society (post-1660) **Approach:** - Present as "newly discovered force of nature" - Use their language: "electrical virtue," "subtle fluid" - Emphasize experimental repeatability - Offer to teach construction methods **Key Demonstration**: - Voltaic pile making a compass needle deflect - Proves electricity = magnetism connection #### **2. Wealthy Merchants** **Targets**: East India Company directors, wool merchants **Approach:** - Focus on practical applications - Telegraph for rapid communication - Electric lighting safer than candles in warehouses - Electroplating for goods **Key Demonstration**: - Send message instantly across their warehouse - Light a room without fire risk #### **3. Military Leaders** **Targets**: Admiral of fleet, Master of Ordnance **Approach:** - Telegraph for instant battle communication - Electric detonation of gunpowder - Electroplating for corrosion resistance **Key Demonstration**: - Instant ship-to-shore communication - Remote gunpowder detonation #### **4. Royalty** **Target**: King Charles II (science enthusiast) **Approach:** - Present as divine natural force harnessed - Offer exclusive palace lighting - Name discoveries after royalty **Key Demonstration**: - Illuminate throne room with electric lights - "Royal Telegraph" between palaces ### **Establishing Industry** #### **Year 1: Proof of Concept** 1. Build workshop with 2-3 apprentices 2. Perfect battery production 3. Create 5-10 working demonstrations 4. Document everything in detail #### **Year 2: Commercial Applications** 1. **Telegraph Company** - Start with London merchant houses - Connect warehouses to docks - Charge per message 2. **Lighting Company** - Target theaters first (fire risk reduction) - Then wealthy homes - Finally street lighting 3. **Electroplating Service** - Gild items without mercury - Protect iron from rust - Create decorative effects #### **Year 3: Scale Production** 1. License technology to guilds 2. Establish training academy 3. Publish practical manuals 4. Expand to other cities --- ## 5. RISK ASSESSMENT & MITIGATION ### **A. Accusation of Witchcraft/Heresy** **Risk Level**: HIGH in early period, moderate after 1650 **Mitigation Strategies:** - Always frame as "natural philosophy" not magic - Quote Bible verses about God's creation - Get church officials to bless demonstrations - Emphasize practical benefits over mysterious forces - Associate with respected natural philosophers - Avoid Sunday demonstrations ### **B. Technical Failures** **Risk Level**: MODERATE **Mitigation Strategies:** - Test everything privately first - Have backup batteries ready - Keep demonstrations simple initially - Train assistants thoroughly - Document what doesn't work too ### **C. Theft of Ideas** **Risk Level**: HIGH **Mitigation Strategies:** - Patent through Crown monopoly system - Keep battery chemistry secret initially - Train loyal apprentices bound by guild oaths - Publish enough to claim priority - Build reputation faster than competitors ### **D. Economic Disruption** **Risk Level**: MODERATE **Threats**: Candle makers, lamp oil merchants **Mitigation Strategies:** - Hire displaced workers - Position as supplement not replacement initially - Partner with threatened industries - Focus on new applications they can't provide ### **E. Political Interference** **Risk Level**: MODERATE **Mitigation Strategies:** - Obtain royal patent early - Give credit to powerful patrons - Provide free services to government - Avoid political controversies - Build broad coalition of supporters ### **F. Resource Scarcity** **Risk Level**: LOW-MODERATE **Mitigation Strategies:** - Stockpile zinc and copper - Develop multiple battery chemistries - Explore local mineral sources - Build recycling into business model --- ## APPENDICES ### Appendix A: Critical Material Sources in 1650 England **Copper**: Cornwall mines, imported from Sweden **Zinc**: Calamine from Mendip Hills, Somerset **Iron**: Forest of Dean, Sussex Weald **Lead**: Derbyshire, Wales **Sulfur**: Import from Italy, or extract from pyrites **Saltpeter**: Collected from stables, dovecotes **Glass**: London, Bristol glasshouses **Wire Drawing**: Birmingham metalworkers ### Appendix B: Key Phrases for Period Communication - "Electrical virtue" = Electric charge - "Subtle fluid" = Electric current - "Natural sympathy" = Electromagnetic attraction - "Philosophical experiment" = Scientific demonstration - "Mechanical philosophy" = Scientific worldview - "Divine artifice" = God's natural laws ### Appendix C: Emergency Troubleshooting **Battery Not Working:** - Check metal cleaning - Increase salt concentration - Ensure good contact between layers - Try vinegar instead of salt water **Light Not Working:** - Reduce filament thickness - Improve vacuum in bulb - Add more batteries in series - Check all connections **Telegraph Not Working:** - Add more wire turns to electromagnet - Use softer iron core - Reduce distance first - Check for wire breaks ### Appendix D: Timeline Summary **Week 1-2**: Build first battery, test privately **Week 3-4**: Create wire, build electromagnet **Week 5-6**: Build light and telegraph **Month 2-3**: Refine devices, recruit assistants **Month 4-5**: Prepare public demonstrations **Month 6**: Launch public campaign **Year 2**: Establish commercial services **Year 3**: Scale to industrial level --- ## Final Notes Remember: You're not inventing electricity - you're "discovering what God has always placed in nature." This framing is critical for period acceptance. Move fast but appear methodical. Document everything but keep key secrets. Build alliances before enemies emerge. Most importantly: Your high school chemistry and physics knowledge makes you one of the most educated people in natural philosophy for this period. Use it wisely, but speak their language. Good luck, time traveler. May you enlighten the past!