Charles Proteus Steinmetz: The Electrical Wizard of Schenectady

by Robert W. Bly

Overview

A genius to rival Edison, a personality as intriguing as Tesla, Charles Proteus Steinmetz was a key figure in creating the modern world.

Thomas Alva Edison and Nikola Tesla have the glory, but perhaps the greatest electrical wizard of them all was Charles Proteus Steinmetz. Revered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a genius, but largely forgotten today, Steinmetz made the modern world possible through his revolutionary work on AC electricity transmission, the technology underlying today’s power grid. More than just a great scientist and engineer, Steinmetz was also one of the most colorful characters in American life.

Standing just four feet tall with a pronounced spine curvature, Steinmetz was as well known for his fiery political opinions, his fierce advocacy for social progress and education, his unusual home life, and his private menagerie as for his technical achievements. The first full biography of Steinmetz in many years, Charles Proteus Steinmetz: The Electrical Wizard of Schenectady brings the life, passions, and scientific achievement of this remarkable man to a new generation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610353267
Publisher:	Linden Publishing
Publication date:	10/01/2018
Pages:	180
Sales rank:	715,721
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Robert W. Bly is the author of over 95 books on science, technology, business, marketing, copywriting, science fiction, and popular culture. Bly holds a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Rochester and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Before becoming a freelance writer, he was a technical writer for Westinghouse. He has written technical materials on electricity and electronics for such companies as GE Semiconductor, Schneider Electrical, and Leviton. In addition to his book-length works, Bly’s articles have appeared in Science Books & Films, Computer Decisions, City Paper, The Record, Cosmopolitan, Writer’s Digest, Chemical Engineering, and many other magazines and newspapers. He has a science website—www.mychemset.com—and his writing website is www.bly.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction:
Chapter One: The Evolution of the Electric World
Chapter Two: Coming to America
Chapter Three: The Mathematics of Electricity
Chapter Four: An Exaltation of Geniuses
Chapter Five: The Current Wars
Chapter Six: A Street Lamp Named Steinmetz
Chapter Seven: Modern Jove Hurls Lightning in a Lab
Chapter Eight: Driven by the Currents
Chapter Nine: The Bohemian Scientist
Chapter Ten: Fun, Games, and Over
Timeline, Glossary, Sources, Bibliography
About the author, Index

Editorial Reviews

"A very fun, informative and interesting story about an amazing man and how he invented many things that helped make it possible to enjoy the benefits of electricity in our everyday lives today." —Jim Turner, President, Electronic Security Specialists & Cabling Company & MedixSafe

"Well written, fascinating to read, and full of interesting details about Steinmetz and other scientists and engineers. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in science, engineering, or in the history of either." —Richard H. Heist, Ph.D., Senior Vice President Emeritus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

"An encompassing overview of the man, his time, and his inventions that were pursued in the exciting age of electrification of America and the world. Fascinating description of how he overcame his physical handicaps, and of his contacts with the likes of Tesla and Edison." —Stanislav Jakuba, retired engineer, MIT '70 graduate

"An exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library American Biography collections." —Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher