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First Steam Engine Developed in England to Pump Water Out of Coal Mines
Thomas Necomen invented this steam engine. Coal was burned and used to power the heat engine. This invention was the first machine to provide large amounts of power not taken from muscle, water, or wind -
First Commercial Coal Production in US
The first miners in American colonies were usually farmers who dug it up and sold it in bushels. The first commercial coal production began from mines around Richmond, Virginia. in 1748. -
Process of Electrolysis Discovered
Electrolysis is the process of electrical energy being used to produce a chemical change. English scientists William Nicholson and Sir Anthony Carlisle discovered this process. This discovery of electrolysis was an important historical step in the development of hydrogen energy and the hydrogen fuel cell. -
First Natural Gas Well in US Is Drilled
In Fredonia, New York, the first well intended to obtain natural gas was dug. This well was dug by William Hart when he noticed bubbles of gas coming to the surface. During this time, natural gas was used almost entirely as a light source and it was difficult to transport gas very far. -
First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Developed to Generate Electricity
William Robert Grove was a Welsh lawyer, later turning to be a scientist. in 1838, he developed the improved wet-cell battery. Eventually, it developed the nickname of "The Grove". -
First Commercial Oil Well Drilled
With this discovery, kerosene began to replace other fuels used in lamps. Kerosene was better quality and was the better choice in several circumstances. -
First Solar Power System Developed
While the possibility of fossil fuels was at hand, Augustine Mouchot developed the solar powered steam generation system. Mouchot believed that the sun's heat could replace the burning of coal to run industries in Europe. -
First Electric Plant
On September 4 1882, Thomas Edison opened America's first power plant. This power plant served a square-mile area. -
World's First Geothermal District Heating System
The process of this was water going through pipes from hot springs to buildings in town. This system was built in Boise, Idaho and today, this system provide heat to more than 5 million square feet of space In Boise. -
Coal Becomes Primary Train Fuel in US
Coal was used majorly, first, in 1830 when Tom Thumb, the first "commercially practical American-built locomotive", was made.
