Historical Energy Events

Benjamin Franklin discovers electricity

Jun 14, 1752

exact date is not known
It is said that Benjamin Franklin flew a kite with a key attached to it in a thunderstorm and he collected electricity in the metal of the key.

Alessandro Volta invents first electric battery

Sep 30, 1800

exact date unknown
Volta's battery is credited as the first electrochemical cell and used the electrodes zinc and copper.

Richard Trevithick makes first steam powered road vehicle

Jun 13, 1801

date and month unknown
Richard Trevithick's vehicle was called the "Puffing Devil", and he demonstrated successfully by carrying several men on it for a few blocks.

The first American locomotive to burn coal is tested

Feb 19, 1831

This locomotive was called the York and was tested in York, Pennsylvania.

Thomas Edison invents commercially incandescent practical light bulb

Oct 22, 1879

On this day, Edison's lightbulb worked successfully for the first time, lasting 13.5 hours. The bulb contained carbon filaments.

The first hydroelectric dam is built

Sep 30, 1882

The first hydroelectric dam was built in Wisconsin by H.J. Rogers. This dam used only natural energy.

Charles Fritts invents first working solar cell

Jun 13, 1883

exact date and month unknown
Fritts' cell was only 1% efficient and was made of selenium and gold.

Charles Brush invents the first automatically operated wind turbine

Jun 12, 1888

Exact date is unknown
This wind turbine was very tall (60 ft) and weighed 80,000 pounds! It had a wattage of 12 kW.

First commercial geothermal power plant is built

Jun 13, 1911

This power plant was located in Larderello, Italy.

First THEMIS solar power plant is built

Jun 14, 1983

exact month and date is unknown
THEMIS is a research and development center primarily for solar energy. This first power plant was only used until 1986 due to lack of funds needed to keep it going.