A Timeline of Energy in the U.S.

By tnmcdonald
  • Coal Production in the United States

    Coal Production in the United States

    The first coal mining company in the U.S. was created, in Richmond, Virginia. Coal was first found in Richmond in 1701 by Hugueunot settlers.
  • Benjamin Franklin and the Kite

    Benjamin Franklin and the Kite

    Benjamin Franklin tested his theory that lightning was similar to electrical sparks. The conclusion was shocking (verbal irony).
  • Coal in Trains

    Coal in Trains

    When the Tom Thumb was manufactured, (first American-built commercial locomotive) it was the first train in the U.S. to burn coal instead of wood. Immediately after the train was manufactured, other trains converted over to coal as well.
  • Discovery of Oil

    Discovery of Oil

    Edwin Drake accidentally discovered oil. A very lucky accident that began the first petroleum rush of the world.
  • First Electrical Plant

    First Electrical Plant

    Thomas Edison built the first Electrical Plant in America, in New York. This powered many influential people's homes as well as the stock exchange.
  • First Commercial Scale Hydroelectric Plant

    First Commercial Scale Hydroelectric Plant

    On the Saturday night of September 30th, 1882, one of the world's first hydro-electric central stations was put into opperation in Appleton, Wisconsin.
  • First Windmill Gernerating Electricity

    First Windmill Gernerating Electricity

    The first windmill that could generate electrcity was invented in 1888 by Charles F. Brush in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • The Discovery of Electrons

    The Discovery of Electrons

    Joseph John Thomson discovered electrons (subatomic particles).
  • Einstein's Paper on the Photoelectrical Effect

    Einstein's Paper on the Photoelectrical Effect

    This paper explained how Einstein discovered that light contains packets of energy.
  • World's First Geothermal Power Plant

    World's First Geothermal Power Plant

    John D. Grant drilled a geothermal well and ran a small direct current gernerator that powered the Geysers resort in California.