IELTS Reading Practice Test #28

Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865–1923) was a pioneering electrical engineer and mathematician whose groundbreaking work advanced the understanding and practical application of alternating current (AC) electrical systems. His theories and inventions helped shape the development of power generation and distribution in the early 20th century, influencing modern electrical engineering. He was known for translating complex physical phenomena into concise mathematical expressions, a skill that made his work particularly valuable to the rapidly industrializing world.

Born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), Steinmetz studied engineering at the Polytechnic School in Zurich before immigrating to the United States in 1889. His decision to emigrate was partly driven by political tensions in Germany, as he had been involved in socialist student groups. He quickly gained recognition for his expertise in the field of electrical phenomena, particularly his work on hysteresis, a fundamental property affecting the efficiency of transformers and electric motors. This concept, which deals with the lag between magnetic force and magnetization, was previously not well understood, and Steinmetz’s work brought much-needed clarity to the field.

Steinmetz joined the General Electric Company, where he became a leading figure in solving complex electrical problems. He developed mathematical models that explained alternating current behavior in magnetic materials, enabling the design of more efficient transformers and generators. His practical approach to theory bridged the gap between abstract mathematics and engineering application. He also led a team of engineers and collaborated with other innovators, influencing GE’s early dominance in electrical infrastructure and helping standardize AC as the national power system.

Beyond his technical achievements, Steinmetz was an inventor who held more than 200 patents, ranging from electric welding devices to improvements in electrical machinery. He was instrumental in developing early electric power plants and contributed to the electrification of major American cities. His work was crucial during a period when America was transitioning from gas and steam to electric power, and his solutions helped overcome limitations in long-distance power transmission.

Steinmetz’s personal life was marked by resilience; he had dwarfism and used a wheelchair but was renowned for his sharp intellect and humor. Despite his physical challenges, he maintained a vibrant social and professional life, often hosting other scientists and thinkers at his Schenectady home. Though less known than contemporaries like Edison or Tesla, his contributions were crucial in making reliable AC power widely accessible.

He also played a role in educating the next generation of engineers through teaching and publishing, laying foundations that still underpin modern electrical engineering principles. He served as a professor at Union College in New York, where his lectures blended rigorous theory with practical insights, inspiring a generation of young scientists. Steinmetz died in 1923, but his legacy remains embedded in the power infrastructure and engineering disciplines worldwide. Today, he is remembered not just for his scientific brilliance but for his unwavering belief in the power of education and public access to electricity.