Spirit, Power, Intelligence: The Epic History of Electricity and Electronics

3-0-9 units. HASS-H · Undergraduate

Historical overview and synthesis of over 400 years of the core underlying technology of the modern world. Topics range from amber and magnetism in the ancient world to AI and electric power today. Touches on scientists and engineers like Franklin, Faraday, Maxwell, Edison, Hertz, and Tesla, as well as lesser-known contributors. Discusses the development, implementation, and impact of inventions including the light bulb, electric chair, telephone, electric guitar, transistor, integrated circuits, and digital networking. Includes histories of MIT Course 6 and Silicon Valley, as well as the evolution of the geopolitics of semiconductor manufacturing. Serves as a broad introduction to an electrical engineering undergraduate curriculum. Limited to 20.