10 Key Historical Energy Events

By Gfinch15

  • Coal

    Coal
    The first commercial U.S. coal production began near Richmond, Virginia. Exact Date N/A.

  • Natural Gas

    Natural Gas
    In Fredonia, New York, William Hart dug the first successful well that was intended to produce natural gas. Hart dug a 27-foot well to try and bring a larger flow of gas to the surface. Expanding on Hart's work, the Fredonia Gas Light Company was eventually formed, becoming the first American natural gas company. Exact Date N/A.

  • Lightbulb

    Lightbulb
    In November 1879, Thomas Edison filed a patent for an electric lamp with a carbon filament. Exact Date N/A.

  • 1st Battery

    1st Battery
    First battery created by Alessandro Volta in 1880. Exact Date N/A.

  • 1st Solar Cell

    1st Solar Cell
    Charles Fritts (United States) built the first genuine solar cell with an efficiency rate between 1% to 2%. Exact Date N/A.

  • 1st Wind Turbine

    1st Wind Turbine
    1st wind turbine created in 1888. Exact Date N/A.

  • 1st Geothermal Power Generator Tested

    1st Geothermal Power Generator Tested
    Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal power generator on 4 July 1904 in Larderello, Italy. It successfully lit four light bulbs.

  • Hoover Dam

    Hoover Dam
    Hoover Dam opened to public.

  • Plutonium Discovered

    Plutonium Discovered
    Glenn T. Seaborg’s research group at the University of California in Berkeley discovers plutonium.

  • 1st Nuclear Powered Submarine

    1st Nuclear Powered Submarine
    The Navy launches the first nuclear-powered submarine, U.S.S. Nautilus.