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Coal is discovered in the US
Coal was discovered near the James River. James River is located in present-day Richmond, Virginia. -
Coal production begins in the US
The first U.S. coal production began near Richmond, Virginia, -
Benjamin Franklin's experiment
Benjamin Franklin tied a key to a kite's string during a thunderstorm to prove that static electricity and lightning were the same thing. He was successful in his experiment. -
First Well to Produce Natural Gas
In New York, William Hart drilled the first successful well that produced natural gass. -
Petroleum in the US
Petroleum was discovered by an ordinary man, When he drilled his homemade rig 70 feet deep, he came out coated with oil. This event took place in northern Pennsylvannia. -
Hydropower for Electricity
People began to use hydropower for electricity. The first hydropower plants were being built and used -
Solar Energy in the US
Charles Fritts built the first successful solar cell in the United States. However, the efficiency rate was low, between 1% and 2%. -
First Windmill to Generate Electricity
The first large windmill is used to generate electricity in Ohio. -
Albert Einstein's theory of relativity
In 1905, Albert Einstein wrote the theory of relativity. His theory unified mass, energy, magnetism, electricity, and light. -
Geothermal Electric Power Station
In 1960, the first successful geothermal electric power station was built in the United States at The Geysers in California.