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Electricity
The first electric capacitator is developed by Georg Von Kleist as a means of storing energy. -
Coal
The modern-day steam engine, which uses coal to produce steam, is patented by James Watt. -
Transportation
The first self-propelled vehicle is built by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot. This was a steam-powered military tractor that could run at a maximum of 2.5 miles per hour. -
Natural Gas
The first natural gas well is dug by William Hart in Fredonia, New York. -
Ethanol
An ethanol-based engine is developed by Samuel Morey. -
Oil
Oil is accidentally discovered by "Colonel" Edwin Drake. -
Solar Thermal
Solar radiation is first converted to mechanical power by Auguste Mouchout. -
Wood
Wood is the primary fuel source for cooking and producing steam. -
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity begins to come into use. -
Aeroelectricity
Aeroelectricity is first generated by Charles F. Brush. -
Municipal Solid Waste
Energy production from garbage incineration begins in New York City. -
Geothermal
In Larderello of Tuscany, Italy, the first dry steam geothermal power plant is built. -
Photovoltaic
Wilhelm Hallwachs discovers photovoltaics when a copper and cuprous oxide combination is found to be light-sensitive. -
Nuclear
Enrico Fermi performs the world's first nuclear fission by irradiating uranium with neutrons.
