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The first commercial coal production began from mines in Richmond, Virginia. Coal was used to make shot, shell, and other war materials during he revolutionary war.
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The first well specifically made to obtain natural gas was dug in Fredonia, New York, by William Hart.During the 19th century, natural gas was used as a source of light.
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The first major coal use occurred when the Tom Thumb was manufactured. It was the first commercially practical American-built locomotive.
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Windmills liberated groundwater for those dry western areas. Daniel Halladay perfected the windmill and started the Halladay Wind Mill Company.
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The first oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake. Kerosene began to replace other lamp fuels.
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After the Civil War, the petroleum industry made technological advances that helped it become a major source of energy and lubrication. This was discovered by John D. Rockefeller.
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In New York, Thomas Edison built the first electric utility near Wall Street. It served a square-mile area that included some very wealthy customers.
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In Appleton, Wisconsin, the first hydro-electric central station to serve a system of private and comercial users was placed in successful operation.
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Charles F. Brush develoed the world's first windmill to generate electricity in Cleveland Ohio.
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Henry Ford designed a car that ran solely on ethanol, and later built the first flex fuel vehice. It was a 1908 Model T designed to run on ethanol or gasoline.
