Energy Use in the US

1st Natural Gas Well Drilled in US

Feb 4, 1821

Fredonia, New York, William Hart noticed gas bubbling in the water of a creek and dug a well to get a better gas flow.

Coal Replaces Wood in Fuel in Trains

Apr 7, 1830

The coal was used because the trains were able to run better by coal. This jump=started American industry.

Ethanol Displaces Whale Oil in Lamps

Jan 11, 1834

Ethanol is used for lamps instead of whale oil because it is muych easier to light and brighter. It was also cheaper at the time.

Windmill is Used as a Pump for Water in the West

Jul 14, 1853

This is one of the earliest uses of wind as an energy source to pump water for the construction of the railroads and life on the prarie.

1st Oil Well Drilled by Drake

Oct 12, 1859

The first oil well was drilled by Edwin Drake in Pennsylvania. Also at this time kerosine was starting to be used for lamps. The rise of Standard Oil

Rockefeller Creates Standard Oil

Feb 18, 1870

This company became a monopoly in the fuel industry and made the country use petroleum as the main energy source.

1st Electrical Plant Built

Sep 4, 1882

This was the first plant built by Thomas Edison in New York that supplied electricity to the city.

1st Hydroelectric Plant Built

Sep 30, 1882

This was the first commercial hydroelectric plant and it was built in Wisconson

First Windmill to Generate Electricity Built

Mar 28, 1888

This was built in Cleveland, Ohio, and it generated about 12,000 watts for the owner

First Nuclear Power Reactor to Generate Electricity

Dec 20, 1951

THis was built in Idaho and it was able to power four 100 watts light bulbs