Historical Energy Events

Voltaic Pile

Jan 1, 1800

Alessandro Voltra produced an electric current by arranging cardboard, zinc, and copper. This was otherwise known as the first electric battery.
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Drake Drills

Jan 1, 1859

Colonel Edwin Drake drills the first oil well at 69 feet in Titusville, Pennsylvania.
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First Rechargeable Battery

Jan 1, 1859

Gaston Plante, a French inventor, developed the first rechargeable battery. His invention was developed and the same type of battery is used in today's cars. source

Auguste Mouchout Invents

Jan 1, 1878

The French mathmatician had previously, in 1861, invented a machine that used sunlight for solar thermal energy electricity. In 1878, his solar generator powered a steam engine. source

Light Bulb

Jan 1, 1879

Thomas Edison creates a light bulb that was able to glow for over 1500 hours.
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First Hydropower Plant

Sep 30, 1882

On the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin the first hydropower plant is opened using the Edison System. source

First Wind Energy

Jul 1, 1887

Professor James Blyth was the first to build an electricity-producting windmill in Glasgow, Scotland, of which ended up powering his home for a predicted 25 years.
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First Geothermal Energy

Jan 1, 1904

The first geothermal energy plant is created in Larderello, Italy by Prince Piero Ginori Conti.
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The Vanguard I

Mar 17, 1958

The first satellite to use electricity produced by solar energy is launched. source

Arc Lamp

Jun 23, 2012

Sir Humphry Davy invents the first electric light. He used two wires, a battery, and a charcoal strip, making charged carbon glow. Later, in 1815, he created a safety lamp for miners.
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