High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The history of electromagnetism (including its use) dates back over several thousand years. In the history of electromagnetic theory, the ancients would have been acquainted with the effects of atmospheric electricity, in particular lightning as thunderstorms in most southern latitudes are common, and they also knew of St. Elmo`s fire. They however had little understanding of electricity, and were unable to scientifically explain those phenomena. Electricity is treated jointly with magnetism, because both generally appear together; wherever electricity is in motion, magnetism is also present. The phenomenon of magnetism was observed early in the history of magnetism, but was not explained in contemporary understanding until the idea of magnetic induction was developed. The phenomenon of electricity was observed early in the history of electricity, but was not fully explained in contemporary understanding until the idea of electric charge was fully developed.