Energy Timeline By chandler_woody Jan 1, 1712 First Steam Engine Jan 1, 1803 First Steam Locomotive Jan 1, 1859 First Commercial Oil Well Jan 1, 1876 Internal Combustion Engine Developed Dec 31, 1879 First Sucessful Lightbulb Jan 1, 1932 First Working Fuel Cell Built May 26, 1958 First Commercial Nuclear Power Plants Jan 1, 1977 First Alaskan Oil Mar 24, 1989 Exxon Valdez Spill Jan 1, 1999 First Hybrid Car