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Origin of terms positive and negative
Benjamin Franklin published "Experiments and Observations on Electricity," coined terms positive and negative. -
The World's First Hydroelectric Power Plant
In 1879 the world's first hydroelectric power scheme was developed at Cragside in Northumberland, England by William George Armstrong. It was used to power a single arc lamp in his art gallery. -
Thomas Edison Invents the Lightbulb
Thomas Edison improves on the design of others to make lightbulbs efficient. -
First geothermal plant
The first geothermal power generator on 4 July 1904 in Larderello, Italy. -
Superconductivity
Heike Kamerlingh-Onnes discovered superconductivity.
Superconductivity is a phenomenon of exactly zero electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields occurring in certain materials when cooled below a characteristic critical temperature. -
First nuclear power plant
On June 27, 1954, the USSR's Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant became the world's first nuclear power plant to generate electricity for a power grid, and produced around 5 megawatts of electric power.[44][45] -
First commercial power plant
Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s. -
First wind farm
The world's first wind farm was 0.6 MW, consisting of 20 wind turbines rated at 30 kilowatts each, installed on the shoulder of Crotched Mountain in southern New Hampshire in December 1980. -
First electric streetcar
An electric car is an automobile that is propelled by one electric motor or more, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric motors give electric cars instant torque, creating strong and smooth acceleration. -
National Energy Policy Act.
The act, described by proponents as an attempt to combat growing energy problems, changed US energy policy by providing tax incentives and loan guarantees for energy production of various types.
