Contributors and Inventions in Energy History

Benjamin Franklin

Jan 1, 1752

Benjamin Franklin was able to identify that static electricity and lightning were the same through his kite and key experiment.

Energy Timeline

Period: Jan 1, 1752 to Dec 18, 1957

Alessandro Volta

Mar 20, 1800

Alessandro Volta invented the first battery. The term "volt" is named after Volta.

Hans Christian Oersted

Apr 21, 1820

During a lecture on April 21, 1820, Hans Christian Oersted confirmed that there is a direct relationship between magnetism and electricity.

William Sturgeon

Jan 21, 1832

William Sturgeon invented the first, successful electric motors.

Joseph Henry

Jan 1, 1835

Joseph Henry invented the electrical relay, which is used to send electrical currents through long distances.

Samuel Morse

Jan 11, 1838

Samuel Morse invented the first single-wire telegraph system.

Joseph Swan

Dec 18, 1878

Joseph Swan invented the first incandescent light bulb using carbonized paper filaments.

Thomas Edison

Oct 22, 1879

Using thin, coiled carbon filament, Thomas Edison successfully constructed a long-lasting incandescent light bulb.

Werner von Siemens

Jan 1, 1880

Werner von Siemens invented the first electric elevator.

Shippingport Reactor in Pennsylvania

Dec 18, 1957

The Shippingport Reactor is the world's first atomic electrical power plant. The first electrical power was produced on Dec. 18, 1957.