
audiobook
by John F. (John Francis) Woodhull
THE LIBRARY OF WORK AND PLAY Electricity and Its Everyday Uses
THE LIBRARY OF WORK AND PLAY
PREFACE
ILLUSTRATIONS
I THE DYNAMO AND THE POWER STATION
II THE DYNAMO, CONTINUED—THE MAGNET
III THE AMMETER
IV THE WATTMETER
V THE ELECTRIC MOTOR
VI APPLICATIONS OF THE ELECTRO-MAGNET
A curious youngster and his father set out to uncover how the invisible force of electricity shapes everyday life. Eschewing the formal school curriculum, they tackle each question head‑on, letting practical puzzles dictate when the theory appears. Their partnership turns the household into a living laboratory, where simple experiments become stepping stones to deeper insight.
The narrative follows their excursions to a nearby power station, where towering chimneys and humming dynamos reveal how steam once drove the lights in their city apartment. Along the way they explore generators, telegraph kits, electric bells, and even the early wireless coil, all illustrated with clear, hands‑on drawings. Each vignette shows how ordinary tools and everyday settings can illuminate the principles behind the current that powers our homes.
Through lively dialogue and real‑world visits, the book invites listeners to see electricity not as an abstract subject but as a familiar, useful companion in daily chores, hobbies, and the modern world.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (371K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Jordan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)
Release date
2014-04-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1857–1941
A science educator and textbook writer from the early 20th century, he helped make physics and chemistry feel practical, hands-on, and useful in everyday life. His books focus on experiments, simple apparatus, and clear teaching rather than abstract theory alone.
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