In 1777, Lichtenberg built a large electrophorus to generate high voltage static electricity through induction. When they were first discovered, it was thought that their characteristic shapes might help to reveal the nature of positive and negative electric 'fluids'. Lichtenberg figures are named after the German physicist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, who originally discovered and studied them. Lichtenberg figures are natural phenomena which exhibit fractal properties. Lichtenberg figures are now known to occur on or within solids, liquids, and gases during electrical breakdown. The study of planar Lichtenberg figures along insulating surfaces and 3D electrical trees within insulating materials often provides engineers with valuable insights for improving the long-term reliability of high-voltage equipment. Lichtenberg figures are often associated with the progressive deterioration of high voltage components and equipment. The slight branching redness traveling up this person's leg was created by current from a nearby lightning strikeĪ Lichtenberg figure (German Lichtenberg-Figuren), or Lichtenberg dust figure, is a branching electric discharge that sometimes appears on the surface or in the interior of insulating materials.

Lightning scars arm hand art