Final answer:
Luigi Galvani's work on animal electricity and Alessandro Volta's invention of the Voltaic pile were crucial in the history of discovering electricity. These advancements debunked earlier theories and formed the basis for electrochemistry and electrical engineering technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discoveries related to electricity with copper wires, brine, and frog legs are deeply rooted in the work of scientists such as Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta during the 18th and 19th centuries. Galvani's experiments with dead frogs led him to propose the concept of animal electricity. However, it was Volta who, through his invention of the Voltaic pile, proved that electricity could be generated chemically and thus laid the groundwork for the field of electrochemistry.
Volta's innovation was a pivotal moment in scientific history, sparking further research and leading to significant technological breakthroughs such as the electric motor and generator. Furthermore, Volta's work debunked the previously held belief that electricity was produced solely by living beings, establishing the foundations for the flow of electric charge through various materials.