THE ORIGINS OF MAGNETISM AND THE DISCOVERY OF ELECTRICITY

Abstract

This review article explores the initial historical development of magnetism, from early empirical observations in Classical Antiquity to the scientific systematization of its properties. The study highlights the crucial contributions of thinkers such as Thales of Miletus, the Chinese innovation with the compass, and, especially, the seminal work of William Gilbert, who demystified magnetism and established it as a natural phenomenon. The objective is to contextualize how these early advancements shaped our understanding of one of nature's fundamental forces, while electricity and magnetism were still viewed as distinct phenomena, paving the way for the future unification of electromagnetism.