The Ancient Greeks tried to study it some two thousand years ago. The man behind this attempt is known to be Thales of Miletus. He did research on the principle of static electricity.
Around 585 BC, Thales conducted many experiments related to static electricity, a concept which was not conceived till then. He rubbed fur and clothes against amber to study more about the phenomenon.
Amber is fossilized tree sap which is a plastic-like non-conducting material. Although he could not identify the secret force behind it, Thales was smart enough to see through attraction between unlikely objects. He could not have completed his study due to lack of resources and tools.
The Greek contribution doesn’t end with this incomplete study. The very word ‘electricity’ has been derived from the Greek word ‘elektron’ meaning ‘amber’.