-
Commercial coal mining starts
-
1859 Colonel Edwin Drake was the first person to drill for oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania.
-
Wood is currently the most popular way to heat homes and cook. Both homes and businesses rely on wood for their purposes. This is before the evolution of energy.
-
Coal and Oil power plants were used in large cities to provide energy for the growing factories, and for the growing consumer demand for electricity. Coal and oil were burned, and the heat released boiled water. The boiled water released steam, and the steam turned a turbine. The turbine spins and drives a generator. The large generator generated electricity. These new power plants were huge polluters, and were also unreliable.
-
Thomas A. Edison invents the electric light bulb and the first successful test occurs.
-
Thomas Edison starts the first coal-powered power station in New York City, which supplies energy for lighting households.
-
The first hydroelectric power station opens up in Appleton, Wisconsin. Through the power of running water it produces almost 13 kW of power.
-
Coal is becoming the leading source of energy, passing by the demand for wood produced energy.
-
The first commercial liquefaction Gas plant was built in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1941
-
The first nuclear reactor begins operation in Richland, Washington.
-
The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrenders during WW2.
-
Natural Gases and Petroleum are now in high demand, and in 1950 the demand for Natural gases and Petroleum passes the demand for Coal.
-
Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson and Daryl Chapin discover the silicon solar cell. This ultimately leads to further use of Solar Energy.
-
President Jimmy Carter delivers his famous energy conservationspeech urging Americans to use less energy.
-
Wisconsin's first wind farm began operation in the Town of Glenmore.
-
President George Bush signs a comprehensive Energy Bill.
-
Rock Port, MO becomes the first town to be completely powered by wind energy.
