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The first electrochemical cell was developed by the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta in 1792. In 1800 he invented the first battery, a "pile" of many cells in series.
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The first modern DC motor was invented by accident by Zenobe Gramme. His Gramme machine went on to become a huge economic success.
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The Pearl Street Station was the first central power plant in the Untied States. It was established by Thomas Edisonand it had one generator to create elctricity with.
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After hearing about the opening of the Pearl Street Station, H.J. Rogers decided to open up his own power plant. Since his house and paper mills were located right next toa river, he decided to use hydropower. Thus he created the first hydroelectric plant in the U.S.
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Charles Fritts creates the first working solar cell in 1883.
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James Blyth created the first ever windmill that created electricity. He used it to power the lights in his small cottage. Blyth's invention recieved a UK patent in 1891.
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The first commercial geothermal power plant was built in Lardello, Italy. Italy remained the biggest producer of geothermal electrcity until 1958. Lardello is pictured at the right,
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The U.S.S. Nautilus was the first nuclear powered submarine ever built. It broke many records in its first year of service. It was named after the mythical submarine in Jule's Vernes' Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
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The Shippingport Power Station was the first full scale atomic electric power plant in the U.S. used exclusively for peace time purposes.
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NASA's project Gemini was the first place where fuel cells were used commercially to create electricity.
