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Coal use in the US
In 1748 commercial production of coal began outside Richmond, Virginia. -
Industrial Revolution
The economy changed from a labor based economy to a machine based economy with the introduction of the coal-powered steam engine. The more machines that were used, the more energy was consumed. -
streetlights lit with gas from coal
Baltimore, Maryland is the first city to light its street lights with fuel produced from coal. -
Thomas Edison
Edison starts a coal-fired power station in NYC which supplies electricity for lighting households. -
wood commonly used
Most rural homes in the U.S. continue to use wood to heat up their homes as well as cook. -
oil becomes popular source of energy
As the popularity of cars rose, oil became the most-used source of energy. -
first nuclear power plant
The first commercial nuclear power plant is built in Pennsylvania. -
Nuclear energy replaces hydropower
Nuclear power becomes the second largest source of energy in America, replacing hydropower. -
first electric car
General Motors creates the very first electric car, named "The Impact." -
Bush wants greater use of alternative fuels
President Bush calls for greater used of alternative fuels, especially ethanol, in his State of the Union address.
