This story is NUTSO. Who knew that a Canadian inventor had created working solar panels as early as 1905 – and that him being KIDNAPPED is what possibly derailed the evolution of solar tech for decades?
(I thought the story might be exaggerating that last point until I saw the kidnappers' conditions for his release... 😲)
@erinwhalen I remember as a youngster reading something about how Einstein was wrong in his explanation of how solar panels worked...and thinking, "Solar panels are that old"?
@gspeng - that's a great question! I found this research report that delves deeper into it and it looks like the answer is unclear. Sounds like according to the patent, the device should have theoretically worked but he didn't seem to have very much success getting investors for it.
@erinwhalen This stuck in my mind over night and this morning I found the Smithsonian and bellingcat article. This is a fascinating post l, love these types of mysteries. Thanks for posting.
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