10 Historical Energy Events

Invention of the Steam Engine

1712

The invention of the first steam engine which kicked off the industrial revolution.

First Natural Gas Well

1821

The first natural gas well was dug in New York after the inventor noticed gas bubbles rising to the surface of a creek.

First Hydrogen Fuel Cell

1838

The first hydrogen fuel cell for producing energy was made and named the "Grove Cell."

First Solar Powered Energy Production

1860

Not like a modern solar panel this device heated water which turned a turbine but it was the first use of the sun for producing energy.

First Commercial Hydroelectric Plant

1882

The first commercial hydroelectric plant was built to produce energy by the movement of a turbine from natural water flow.

First Windmill to Generate Electricity

1888

Windmills have been used throughout history but this was the first one to directly produce electricity.

Albert Einstein Publishes Paper Describing the Photoelectric and Photovoltaic Effects

1905

This discovery was massive for science and invention. The discovery of the photovoltaic effect led to the invention of solar cells and panels.

First Geothermal Power Plant

1922

The first geothermal power plant was built in California and used thermal vents to turn turbines and produce electricity.

First Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction

1942

This led to the invention of nuclear power plants which harness the massive energy released from these reactions to heat water and produce steam to turn a turbine.

First Nuclear Reactor To Produce Electricity

1951

Built in Idaho this was the first instance of a nuclear reactor used to produce energy. https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015#1800-1899