From Knitty:

Back in the Dark Ages (1981), we physics students toiled to make simple circuits with relays, transistors, and even vacuum tubes. Technology has changed, but the science behind it hasn’t. One of the most simple and elegant is Ohm’s Law, which defines Current (I) as the ratio of Voltage (V) to Resistance (R), or I = V/R.

This pattern started as an outline of cables on Stockinette: current (columns of twisted stitches inside the larger diamonds) flows from positive to negative potential; voltage drops as it passed through resistance (rope cables); magnetic fields form and rotate around flowing current.

To promote wear resistance, the heel flap and heel turn are worked using a smaller needle. The pattern texture is very dense and thus stretchy. Be sure to use a stretchy yarn to maximize a comfortable fit.