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Discovery of Coal
In 1673, Louis Joliet and Father Jaques Marquette created the first map labeled with coal deposits. *No date. -
Coal Production Begins
The first commercial coal production begins in Richmond, VA. *No date. -
Lightning is Electricity! Eureka!!
Ben Franklin makes the discovery that lightning is electricity. This discovery paves the way for the future use of electricity. -
Street Lights are Lit with Gas
In Baltimore, Maryland, the street lights are for the first time ever lit with gas instead of coal. *No date. -
First Natural Gas Well
The first natural gas well was drilled in 1821 in Fredonia, New York. *No date. -
First Steam Locomotive
The first steam locomotive is invented in 1830 by Peter Cooper, naming the train Tom Thumb. *No date. -
First Use of Oil
The first use of oil was by a Pittsburgh man by the name of Samuel Keir in 1847. *No date. -
First Windmill in the US
The first windmill used to generate electricity in operated in Colombus, Ohio. *No date. -
First Geothermal Power Plant
The world's first geothermal power plant is operated in California. *No date. -
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power makes its debut in Richland, Washington as the first nuclear reactor begins operation.