Final answer:
The statement is false; the understanding and application of electricity have significantly evolved since ancient Greek observations, with major theoretical and practical advancements occurring in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'The paradigm for electricity has remained relatively unchanged since the early Greeks' is false. Electricity's understanding and utilization have evolved significantly over time. In the early days, ancient Greeks observed static electricity through simple experiments with amber. But it wasn't until the 19th century that substantial breakthroughs in electrical theory were made, with contributions from scientists such as Michael Faraday and James Maxwell, who provided a firm theoretical understanding of electricity. Additionally, the discovery of the electron by J.J. Thomson in 1897 revolutionized the conception of electricity by introducing the concept of discreet charged particles, which allowed for a much more detailed and accurate explanation of electrical phenomena.
Electricity, as we understand and use it today, is a result of this evolving understanding. It is used in countless applications, from communications with the development of the telegraph, powered by batteries or early generators, to the modern technology that underpins our society's infrastructure, like electric trains and hydroelectric power plants. The understanding of electricity and its principles is constantly being refined through ongoing scientific inquiry and technological development.