Energy History

First Use of Water

200

Europeans built wheels in rivers and streams to use water as an energy source.

First Use of Wind

Jan 1, 1000

Persians built the first windmill to create energy.

Coal First Discovered as an Energy Source

Period: Jan 1, 1600 to Jan 1, 1700

British discovered the energy stored in burning coal.

First Natural Gas Well

Jan 1, 1820

The first natural gas well is drilled in Fredonia, New York.

First Oil Well

Jan 1, 1850

The first oil well is drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

First Solar Energy Generator

Jan 1, 1860

The first solar energy generator is built in France.

First Electric Car

Jan 1, 1890

William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, created the first all-electric car. It could carry 6 people and travel at 14 miles per hour.

First Nuclear Power Plants

Jan 1, 1950

The first nuclear power plants are built in Obninsk, USSR and Shippingport, Pennsylvania.

Three Mile Island Accident

Mar 28, 1979

The Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania delays nuclear power development in the US.

Irag Invades Kuwait

Jan 1, 1990

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait caused a rise in oil prices.