What was the understanding of elECtricity in the 18th century?

In the 18th century, electricity was primarily understood as a mysterious force associated with natural phenomena, such as lightning and static electricity. Pioneering experiments by scientists like Benjamin Franklin and William Gilbert began to reveal its properties, leading to the distinction between positive and negative charges. The era saw the development of early electrical devices, such as the Leyden jar, which stored electrical energy, but a comprehensive theory of electricity, including its practical applications, was still in its infancy. Overall, electricity was seen more as a curiOSity than a practical tool until the 19th century.