Energy Use in the US By 14patric Jul 1, 1712 First Steam Engine Jan 13, 1752 Lightning Rod Was Invented Jan 1, 1800 First battery was invented Jan 1, 1824 Heat Engines Jan 1, 1875 Coal and Oil plants established Sep 30, 1882 First Hydroelectric Plant Feb 4, 1902 First Air Conditioner Unit Mar 23, 1940 First Ethanol Plant Built Mar 23, 1960 First geothermal electric plant Jan 1, 2007 Compact Fluorescent lightbulbs