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First Commercial U.S. Coal Production
The first commercial U.S. coal production began near Richmond, Virginia.
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Ben Franklin "Discovers" Electricity
Franklin stood outside under a shelter during a thunderstorm and held on to a silk kite with a key tied to it. When lightning struck, electricity traveled to the key and the charge was collected in a Leyden jar.
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Modern Day Steam Engine
James Watt patented the modern-day steam engine. Coal was used to produce steam for early steam engines.
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Bunsen Burner was Invented
Robert Bunsen invented what is now known as the Bunsen burner. The Bunsen burner produced a flame that
could be safely used for cooking and heating by mixing the right proportion of natural gas and air. The invention of
thermostatic devices allowed the flame’s temperature to be adjusted and monitored.
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First Windmill To Generate Electricity
Charles F. Brush used the first large windmill to generate electricity in Cleveland, Ohio. Windmills that produce electricity started to be called wind turbines. In later years, General Electric acquired Brush’s company, Brush Electric Co.
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Henry Ford's Automobile
Henry Ford built his first automobile, the quadricycle, to run on pure ethanol.
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The Atomic Energy Act
The Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1946 was passed, establishing the United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to control nuclear energy development and to explore peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
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U.S. Production of Petroleum
Production of petroleum (crude oil and natural gas plant liquids) in the U.S. lower 48 states reached its highest level at 9.4 million barrels per day. Production in these contiguous states has been declining ever since.
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Solar Dish Generator
The first solar dish generator, using a free-piston Stirling engine, was tied to a utility grid. The Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources, a public corporation, was established to facilitate solar developments at the Nevada Test Site. 3M Company introduced a new silvered plastic film for solar applications.
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California Geothermal Power
California’s geothermal power plants provided 54.9% of the state’s electricity.
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