A Short History of Thermoelectrics 

With every discussion of old and new emerging concepts, theories, and technologies within the STEM field, comes an introduction of the figures behind them. Thomas Johann Seebeck is certainly not the only scientist that had a lasting influence upon the development of thermoelectric technologies, but he is just one among many who catalyzed research into this energy source. In 1821, Seebeck made the discovery that different temperatures had the ability to move a compass magnet.^[1]  Although he had initially thought that this was caused by magnetism created by the temperature difference and the “Earth’s magnetic field”, he later discovered that the temperature difference produced electric potential (voltage)  which can generate electric current in a closed circuit, now known as the Seebeck Effect. ^[1] 

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