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Maryland Street Lights
In Baltimore, Maryland, street lights are lit using gas made from coal. It becomes the first city in the country to do so. A month later, Rembrandt Peale is given permission to lay gas lines for street lights in the rest of the city. -
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Historical Energy Events
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Edwin Drake Oil Drilling
Oil In 1859, Edwin Drake drilled for oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania. he pioneered the drilling industry by developing a new way to drill for oil. -
Thomas Edison Invents the Lightbulb
Thomas Edison created the first successful lightbulb. He used a carbon filament. His first successful test lasted 40 hours. -
1st Hydroelectric Dam
The first hydroelectric dam began operating in the United States. The Schoelkopf Power Station No. 1 began operating near Niagra Falls on the U.S. side. The plant started a rapid increase in hydroelectric dam production in the United States. By 1889 there were 200 hydroelectric dams operating in the United States alone. -
Automobiles - Model T
Henry Ford produced the first affordable automobile. The Model T ran on oil. -
1st Geothermal Plant
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
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 Solar Cells
Researchers invented first solar cells capable of harnessing the sun's energy. The cells could convert sunlight directly into electricity. The technology was first used in space to power satellites. -
1st Commercial Nuclear Power Plant
The United State's first commercial nuclear power plant was opened in Shippingport, Pennsylvania. The plant split uranium atoms to produce energy. -
1st Mass-Produced Electric Car
General Motors released the first mass produced electric car. As a result, the California Air Resources Board mandated that in order for the top seven car companies to continue selling in California they must produce emission-free cars. This came at a time when California's air quality was the worst in the nation
