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Jun 15, 1500
Leonardo da Vinci's oil lamp
Leonardo da Vinci invented an oil lamp that used a lens to concentrate the light. -
Electric Generator
Sir Isaac Newton builds an electric generator, which is later improved during the same year by F. Hawksbee. -
First Practical Steamboats
The British engineer William Symington made a practical steamboat that towed barges in Scotland -
Incandescent Lights
William Robert Grove lights up an auditorium with really expensive incandescent lighting with platnum coils. -
Solar Power!
The first record of the direct turning of solar energy to mechanical poswer goes to Auguste Mouchout. He got the first patent on a motor that ran on solar power. He continued to improve his design for about twenty more years. He laid the foundation for understanding converting solar radiation to mechanical steam power. -
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla creates alternate current generators that can transmit electricity longer distances -
First offshore oil wells are drilled
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Landfilling is introduced and becomes popular
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The first wind turbine used to generate electricity is made.
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First electric car
General Motors Corp. introduces an electric car an auto show in LA. -
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Is considered the larges accidential ocean oil spill in history. It dumped millions of gallons of oil into the gulf, killing many animals and plants and causing health problems. It caused many people to question our dependence on petrolium and fossil fuels. -
The first commercial use of geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is used commercially for the first time. The first plant is in Boise, Idaho and it uses a 1000-foot well. -
Chinese Energy Use
A document from Ancient China from 900 BC mentioned the use of natural gas.
Coal was used in Ancient China to make copper perhaps as early as 1000 BC. Coal was used for fuel in China during the Han Dynasty. (206 BC to 220 AD)
