Timeline Of Energy Events By danyellenikol Jan 1, 1752 Ben Franklin discovered electricity! Jan 1, 1800 Alessandro Volta created the first electric battery! Jan 1, 1808 Humphry Davy invented the first effective “arc lamp.” Jan 1, 1821 The first electric motor was invented by Michael Faraday. Jan 1, 1831 Michael Faraday proved that electricity can be made by changes in an electromagnetic field. Jan 1, 1835 Joseph Henry invented the electrical relay Jan 1, 1837 Thomas Davenport invented the electric motor Jan 1, 1839 Sir William Robert Grove developed the first fuel cell Jan 1, 1844 Samuel Morse invented the electric telegraph Jan 1, 1881 The electric streetcar was invented by E.W. v. Siemens