-
Electricity was discovered
Benjamin Franklin conducted an experiment using a kite with a key tied to the string during a Thunderstorm. The key was electrified by lightening and the wet twine served as a conductor. http://www.signature-reads.com/2013/06/franklins-storm-this-week-in-history-benjamin-franklin-flies-kite-in-thunderstorm/ -
Thomas Davenport Received Patent for Electric Motor
Thomas Davenport received the first electric motor patent in the US. http://www.edisontechcenter.org/DavenportThomas.html -
Thomas Edison Receives Patent for Light Bulb
Thomas Edison's patent for his light bulb opened door for residential lighting. https://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/edisons-light-bulb-patent -
The first Hydroelectric Power Plant
The first Hydroelectric Power Plant was build on the Fox River, in Appleton, Wisconsin. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/gilded/jb_gilded_hydro_1.html -
Shippingport Atomic Power Station
The World's first Atomic nuclear power plant which opened in Pennsylvania. https://nuclear.duke-energy.com/2012/07/31/a-brief-history-of-nuclear-power-in-the-u-s -
First Major Power Blackout
The first major power blackout covers the east.
https://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-0 -
Breeder Reactor to be built on Clinch River
The Atomic Energy Commission announces a co-op project with industry to make a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor on the Clinch River in Tennessee. https://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-1 -
Carter passes the Energy Security Act
President Carter passes the Energy Security Act, which consists of six major acts. https://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-1 -
PUREX shuts down
The Plutonium Uranium Extraction Facility, the nation's largest cold war plutonium processing plant, is shut down one year ahead of schedule. http://www.hanford.gov/page.cfm/purex -
Solar power efficiency increased
Oak Ridge National Laboratory announces that the development of a 3-d nanocone-based platform that boosts the solar power efficiency of photovoltaics by 80%. https://energy.gov/management/timeline-events-2011#apr
