The explanation of thunder and lightning in encyclopedias from ancient times to Wikipedia is described and discussed.

The DC-powered service of the Berlin suburban railways disturbed the observations in Potsdam and Seddin. A suitable location for the establishment of a new observatory was found near the small town of Niemegk. The "Adolf-Schmidt-Observatorium für Erdmagnetismus Niemegk" was officially opened on 23 July 1930, Adolf Schmidt’s 70^th.  The observations started on 1 January 1932. The Niemegk measurement series spans 92 years, only interrupted at the end of World War II.