Point discharge is an electrical process which occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere. Like lightning, it has been observed both directly and indirectly for centuries. Several of the milestone investigations in atmospheric electricity have arisen through measuring point discharge. This work gives a history of various investigations involving the phenomenon and explains its central role in developments in atmospheric electricity.

Before the Enlightenment, clouds were described phenomenologically. The vacuum pump’s invention enabled the formation of mist droplets by experiment, prompting questions about why clouds float. Around 1800, early proposals for cloud classification emerged. However, it wasn’t until manned balloon ascents provided detailed atmospheric data that the physical basis of cloud formation became clear, even though accurately depicting clouds in atlases remained challenging for some decades.

This study reveals that a vast ancient lake once covered parts of central Iran, influencing regional culture and settlement. By analyzing old texts, maps, and environmental data, the research reconstructs the lake’s size, timeline, and role in history. The findings suggest the lake lasted thousands of years before drying up due to climate shifts, offering new insights into how landscapes shaped early civilizations.