The pyroelectric effect, which a material generates an electric potential when responding to temperature change. This was first studied by Carl Linnaeus and Franz Aepinus in the mid eighteenth century. Conntinuing on with this study, Rene Just Hauy and Antoine Cesar Becquerel suggested there was a relationship between mechanical stress and electric charge, however thier experiments were inconclusive.

    The first conclusive experimental demonstration of the piezoelectric effect was published in 1880 by Pierre and Jacues Curie. Their experiment consisted of a conclusive measurement of charge showing in some prepared crystals (tourmaline, quartz, topaz, cane sugar...). They did not predict that the effect would show a reverse process until it was mathematically found from fundamental thermodynamic principles by Lippmann in 1881.

    Piezoelectricity was first largly used during the World War I period and again in During World War II. To see someof these uses during at those times, look under aplications.