> Electricity is essentially an abstraction layer that decouples the source of energy from the consumer.

Highly recommend a visit to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. They have a belt-driven workshop that demonstrates that this abstraction/desire has existed for a very long time. Electricity is currently our best-known way to put it into practice.

PS - depending on their schedule of interactive demos, you might even be able to make something in the workshop :)