The exact nature of electricity was a mystery that tantalized scientists for centuries. As its power was revealed, it excited a succession of brilliant inventors from Nikola Tesla to Robert Noyce. Their discoveries revolutionized the world. In unflinching detail, Camenzind describes their personal ambitions, conflicts, betrayals, and successes, creating a masterful synthesis of human interest and lucid technical description, unlike any other book on this subject. Who was Hans Camenzind? He was an engineer in the early days of Silicon Valley who single-handedly developed the most successful integrated circuit chip in history--the 555 timer. Thus, he was uniquely situated to write this brilliant historical document.