On September 2, 1859, telegraph operators in Portland, Maine, and Boston reported unusual electrical phenomena due to a geomagnetic storm, later named the Carrington Event. This storm, which followed a solar flare observed by Richard Carrington, allowed operators to send messages using only the aurora-induced current, even after disconnecting their batteries. The storm generated strong induced voltages in telegraph lines, causing sparks and equipment damage. The event highlighted the vulnerabilities of the 19th-century telegraph system, which was effectively an antenna for geomagnetically induced currents. Modern electrical grids are similarly susceptible; a storm of this magnitude could lead to widespread blackouts, as demonstrated by past storms affecting power systems. While forecasting tools exist to provide warnings, they are inadequate for mitigating potential damage to critical infrastructure. The Carrington Event serves as a reminder of the sun's powerful influence on technology, a fact underscored by the recent discovery of Carrington's only known portrait, revealing the face of the man who first documented solar flares.