"Silly Stuff"

Even before Michael Faraday invented his "Dynamo" he was a very famous scientist with celebrity status all across England. Citizens flocked to his scientific lectures on "The Chemistry of a Burning Candle", filling large auditoriums on a weekly basis.

When Faraday invented his "Dynamo" he was able to prove that it generated current electricity using a simple meter that registered the steady flow of electrons when he rotated the copper disc with a hand crank. Of course there were no electrical tools, motorized machines, or home appliances. No light bulbs, no toasters, no drills, no irons, no radios, and certainly no TVs - not a single device that could make use of Faraday's generator and its steady flow of current electricity!

As the story goes, the Queen of England, upon hearing the news, visited Faraday's lab to see his new invention. Watching the needle move on an electric meter left her completely unimpressed with his "Dynamo". Somewhat miffed, the Queen quipped: "Professor Faraday, I suggest you stop wasting you time here, I see no use for this silly stuff."

Michael Faraday's response to the Queen provided a hint of his visionary genius:

"With all due respect your highness, of what use is a baby?"