Charles Steinmetz would delight in the interest of today's teenagers in electricity, for this crippled genius, who fled the oppression of the Old World to find in America an opportunity for suing his brilliant mathematical skill to improve the creation, control and distribution of electrical energy, enjoyed explaining scientific facts to young people far more than he did presenting his theories to fellow engineers.

In telling the story of the great scientist, the author has let Steinmetz speak for himself through his valiant achievements.  He has also drawn upon the memories of men and women who worked and lived with this gnome-like wizard, and thus offers a vivid, true picture of the man, his times and his work.  Charles Proteus Steinmetz's amazing scientific accomplishments, contrasting with his love of buffoonery, are described in the same bright, animated fashion in which Sigmund Lavine presents Gilbert and Sullivan in his delightful book, Wandering Minstrels We, with the result that young readers will keenly appreciate both the talents and the humor of the great inventor who considered the making of Fourth of July fireworks with his adopted grandchildren far more important than designing turbines to harness the gargantuan falls at Niagara.  He hurled thunderbolts at will in his laboratory at the General Electric plant in Schenectady, but his career was chiefly devoted to lightening the burdens of the workers through the magic of electricity.  Every time that we snap on an electric light, ride in an electric train, shoot up in an elevator, or use an electric power motor, we are making practical, ease-giving use of the lifelong investigation into the exciting, breathtaking field of electrical energy by Steinmetz, Maker of Lightning. 

Illustrated with fascinating photographs.

From the dust jacket