Feyman modelled atomic structure as a spherical cavity resonator, regarding photon absorbtion and emission. His Lectures on Physics book set are some interesting reading. He was an independent thinker, asking why and what. His technical writing is very readable, accessable, which is rare in the field. Linus Pauling's work is also very readable and insightful.
A charge in motion radiates. This radiation is an emf field that acts at a distance (Faraday, Lenz, Maxwell). Charged matter also responds to the applied EMF, electric or magnetic field. Charges in motion follow the conductive path, bound by the wire and the insulating materials. The field follows the environment, it is in everything, everywhere. Field strength varies with the facts of construction and useage.
Applying voltage is an applied electric field. There are a variety of effects that happen simultaneously, free charges move and there is some polarization of the materials subject to the applied electric field. The field can travel at light speed, material polarization can be fast or slow, and actual movement of the mass of the electron is slowest.
In the conventional electric circuit there is no electron production or destruction, they are only moved around. It is possible to take electrons away from or add a surplus of electrons to a metal that is insulated. This affects the charge balance of the metal. Still the electrons are moved, not created or destroyed.
Electron production happens at the energy level you would find around a neutron star or black hole. A super high energy photon decays to an electron / positron pair, pair production. Free neutrons have a half life of ~ 20 minutes and decay to an electron and proton. Don't ask me how I know, I don't.
The university I went to, if I had Al Gore's money I would sue for .. well something, doesn't matter what (I am so well trained). They need to be sued a few (more) times. The 45 seconds the professor spent on the proof where the voltage gradient disappears inside the conductor, yielding skin effect, ... That's why we need ITunes U, so we can hit replay several times or shop around a bit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Feynman_diagram_for_Pair_Production.svg