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Commercial coal mine built in Richmond, Virginia
Coal had been mined in America before, but it was never mined for actual business purposes. This provided coal for military materials in the Revolutionary War. -
Ethanol becomes popular in the U.S.
Previously, whale oil was used to heat lamps in the U.S. When ethanol was popularized, though, it took over that market. Later on, ethanol would be taxed. -
Solar Energy Discovered.
William Grylls Adam and Richard Evans Day realized the Sun's energy could be harvested and used for powering appliances. -
Tesla Coil is invented
The Tesla Coil for electricity is invented by Nikola Tesla -
Diesel Engine
The diesel engine is discovered for the first time by Rudolph Diesel. -
First flying airplane is flown
The Wright Brothers fly the first functional airplane in Kittyhawk, NC -
Geothermal Plant built in California
John D. Grant drilled a well to harvest geothermal steam to produce electricity. Due to the difficulties of drilling and harvesting the steam, however, geothermal energy turned out to be less efficient than other renewable resources of the time. -
Hoover Dam is built.
Took four years to complete. It still stands as the world's largest hydroelectric power plant. -
Petroleum becomes most used resource in America
Since more and more automobiles were being created, petroleum became the most used natural resource in america. -
Nuclear Power Reactor Produces Electricity
Nuclear Power Reactor in Idaho produces electricity for the first time.
