The phenomenon which we call static electricity, or mor0 simply T<‘static:> is perhaps the oldest known manifestation of electricity.
The ancient Greeks, such as Tliales of Miletus (640-546 B.C.) speculated
and wrote about the strange property which amber developed
when rubbed with a dissimilar material. The force of attraction or
repulsion between materials after rubbing with amber was, for almost
2,000 years, the extent of man’s knowledge of electricity. The name
“electricity?‘ is derived from the Greek word for amber wliich is
“elektron.”
Today, static electricity is not considered a phenomenon which
excites man’s curiosity. It is considered by most people to be a
nuisance which causes shocks, unruly hair, clinging‘ clothes, or other
annoyances. To people who are concerned with industrial safety,
it is more than an annoyance, it is a hazard which iii many areas can
be dangerous.
This bulletin will discuss static electrical phenomena not as an
exhaustive treatise but as a short survey of possible causes and coiltrols.
The explanations used have been simplified and are ?ncluded
to develop a practical basis for understanding and discussion.