History of Energy

Beginning of Electricity

May 10, 1752

Ben Franklin tied a key onto a kite string during a storm, proving that static electricity and lightning were the same. This understanding paved the way for the future.

First Battery

Oct 29, 1800

The first electric battery was invented by Alessandro Volta. The word, “volt” is named in his honor.

Electric Motor

Aug 19, 1821

The first electric motor was invented by Michael Faraday.

Thomas Davenport

Feb 20, 1837

Thomas Davenport created the electric motor that is in most appliances we all use today.

Telegraph

Jan 31, 1844

Samuel Morse invented the electric telegraph, a machine that could send messages long distances across wire.

Light Bulb!

Dec 3, 1879

After many experiments, Thomas Edison invented an incandescent light bulb that could be used for about 40 hours without burning out. By 1880 his bulbs could be used for 1200 hours.

Hoover Dam

Nov 30, 1920

Boulder (Hoover) Dam was completed. A 287 Kilovolt power line stretched 266 miles to Boulder (Hoover) Dam. The Rural Electrification Act was also created.

Transistor

May 30, 1947

Transistor invented by scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratiories.

First Power Plant

Feb 28, 1954

The world’s first nuclear power plant in Russia started generating electricity. First high voltage direct current (HVDC) line (20 megawatts/1900 Kilovolts, 96 Km). The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 came out, which allows private ownership of nuclear reactors.

Shippingport Reactor

Apr 8, 1957

Shippingport Reactor in Pennsylvania was the first nuclear power plant to provide electricity to customers in the U.S.