Historical Energy Events

Electric Battery

Jan 1, 1800

First electric battery created by Alessandro Volta

Lightbulb Invented

Oct 22, 1879

Thomas Edison evented the light bulb

Pearl Street Station launched

Sep 4, 1882

Thomas Edison launches first modern electricity generating station called Pearl Street Station

First Hydroelectric Power Plant

Sep 30, 1882

Opened in the U.S. at Appleton, Wisconsin

First geothermal plant

Jun 28, 1921

First geothermal power plant in the US at the Geysers, Arkansas by John D. Grant

Atomic Energy Act of 1946

Aug 1, 1946

Determined how the United States federal government would control and manage nuclear technology

First Nuclear Power Reactor

Dec 20, 1951

First nuclear power reactor built to generate energy in Idaho. (Experimental Breeder Reactor)

Atoms for Peace Speech

Dec 8, 1953

Dwight D. Eisenhower advocates for peaceful use of nuclear power

First Commercial Power Plant

Dec 2, 1957

Opened in Shippingport, Pennsylvania and thereafter began to serve the Pittsburgh Area

Energy Policy and Conservation Act

Dec 22, 1975

Established the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Reduced impact of severe energy supply interruptions. Signed by President Gerald Ford