10 key historical energy events By caseycostello Jun 1, 1695 First Steam Engine Invented Exact date controversial Jan 1, 1809 First Electric Light Created Exact date controversial Aug 2, 1859 First Oil Well In U.S. Jan 1, 1880 First Battery Invented Jan 7, 1880 First Electric Lamp Invented Sep 28, 1886 First Automobile Invented Sep 28, 1936 Hoover Dam Opened to Public Sep 28, 1937 Nuclear Fission is Discovered Exact date unknown Sep 28, 1941 First Silicon Solar Cell Invented Exact date unspecified Sep 28, 1954 Solar Panel Production Begins Exact date unspecified