Historic Energy events

Static Electricity

Jan 1, 600

Thales of Miletos deduced that friction made amber magnetic, unlike some other minerals.

William Gilbert studied electricity

Jan 1, 1600

Studied electricity and magnetism, and distinguished lodestone effect from static electricity made from rubbing amber. Gave rise to the words "electric' and "electricity".

Lighting

Jun 1, 1752

Benjamin Franklin decided to fly a kite with a key attached to it during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning sparks share similarities. He performed this experiment after some others in France.

Electromagnetic Generator

Jan 1, 1790

Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Originally invented by Luigi Aloisio Galvani, but improved by Michael Faraday later on.

Bioelectricity

Jan 1, 1791

Luigi Galvani discovered bioelectricity. Showed that nerve cells passing signals to muscles is a form of electricity.

First Battery

Jan 1, 1800

Alessandro Volta created the first battery, as the result of a professional disagreement with his colleague Galvani. Consisted of two electrodes, one made of zinc and the other copper.

Alexander Graham Bell

Jan 1, 1880

He created the Photophone, which allowed for transmissions of sound and conversion of a beam of light. World's first wireless telephone.

1st Geothermal Plant

Jun 21, 1921

John D. Grant drills a well near San Francisco and builds the first geothermal power plant in the United States. His plants were able to produce 250 kilowatts. This was enough energy to power his hotel and resort.

The 1st Megawatt Wind Turbine

Jan 3, 1941

The wind turbine was installed in Vermont. It had the capability of producing 1.25 megawatts. It remained the largest wind turbine ever built until 1979.

1st Commercial Nuclear Power Plant

May 26, 1958

The United State's first commercial nuclear power plant was opened in Shippingport, Pennsylvania. The plant split uranium atoms to produce energy.