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First Controlled Airplane
Orville and Wilbur Wright, more commonly referred to as the "Wright Brothers," were two American pioneering inventors who achieved the first airplane flight on December 17, 1903. -
Ford installs first moving assembly line
Henry Ford created the first moving assembly line for the mass production of automobiles. The moving assembly line reduced the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to two hours and 30 minutes. -
First 100 percent solar powered house
Maria Telkes invented the thermoelectric power generator to provide heat for Dover House, first solar-heated house In 1980 she assisted the U.S. Department of Energy in the development of the world's first solar-electric residence, which was built in Carlisle, Massachusetts. -
Discovery of LED lighting
General Electric Company scientist, Nick Holonyack, invented the first visible light LED. Holonyack is often called the "Father of the light emitting diode" for his pioneering of the technology. He also holds 41 patents and his other inventions include the laser diode and the first light dimmer -
IACs Helps Boost Efficiency For Small And Medium Manufacturers
Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) were created by the Department of Commerce in 1976 and later moved to the new Department of Energy in 1978. The IAC program has helped increase the energy efficiency, productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of small and medium-enterprises (SMEs) while giving undergraduate and graduate students real world training in energy efficiency engineering. -
The rise of 3D printing
Chuck Hull of 3D Systems invented the first 3D printing technology in the early 1980s. The first item he ever printed was a tiny cup that was used as an eye wash. Today, AMO uses additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, for a wide variety of purposes across multiple projects to reduce waste, decrease lead time, and offer more flexibility in design. -
The department of energy was founded
On August 4, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed The Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 which created the twelfth cabinet-level department, The Department of Energy. -
Robotics use increases in manufacturing
Although the first industrial robot was designed by George Devol in 1954, robotics use has become more advanced and sophisticated in the 21st century. Robotics create efficiencies, are highly flexible and cost-effective, and allow companies to stay competitive. In 2016, AMO funded a Robotics Internship Program for current recent high school and college graduates. -
NNMI (now known as Manufacturing USA) was Created
Manufacturing USA consists of multiple linked Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Each has a unique technological concentration, but is also designed to accelerate U.S. advanced manufacturing as a whole. The network is designed to foster innovation and deliver new capabilities that can stimulate the manufacturing sector on a large scale. -
ORNL and AMO reveal 3D printed Shelby Cobra
The 3D Printed Shelby Cobra was printed at the Department of Energy's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge using the BAAM (Big Area Additive Manufacturing) machine. The Shelby will allow research and development of integrated components to be tested and enhanced in real time, improving the use of sustainable, digital manufacturing solutions in the automotive industry. -
ORNL Produces the World's Largest Solid 3D-Printed Object
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Lab developed a 3D-printed version of a “trim-and-drill” tool that Boeing uses to build the wings on its passenger aircraft. About the size of an SUV, the tool weighs 1,650 lbs and measures 17.5 feet long, 5.5 feet wide and 1.5 feet tall, making it the world’s largest solid object made with a 3D printer. It took 30 hours to print using carbon fiber and composite plastic materials -
DOE Recognizes First U.S. '50001 Ready' Facility
In June 2017, DOE issued its first 50001 Ready recognition to Four Seasons Produce, Inc., for implementing an energy management system (EnMS) at its 266,000 square-foot fruit and vegetable refrigerated warehouse facility in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, resulting in a 2.1% improvement in energy intensity. -
IACs Adapt to Aid Puerto Rico Recovery
In September 2017, Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Maria. Students and faculty from the Universidad del Turabo, a satellite Industrial Assessment Center of the University of Miami, used their energy management expertise to help install donated solar power systems for the local water distribution and community centers and also established a support hotline for local residents. -
Cyclotron Road’s Etosha Cave Recognized as One of Vanity Fair’s 26 Women of Color Diversifying Entrepreneurship
Etosha Cave, co-founder of Opus 12 and alumna of AMO’s Cyclotron Road program – one of three lab-embedded entrepreneurship programs – was recognized as one of the “26 Women of Color Diversifying Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, Media, and Beyond,” by Vanity Fair. -
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Debuts 3D-Printed Podium
During a supercomputing announcement in June 2018, a futuristic podium was prominently displayed in front of Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. The production of the podium showcased the speed and efficiency of various 3D printing technologies and demonstrated the precision and flexibility of design available to manufacturers when they utilize additive manufacturing.
