Wind040516

Energy Use In the US

By charlotte.saxton
  • Thales discovered static electricity
    600 BCE

    Thales discovered static electricity

    A Greek named Thales discovered static electricity by rubbing amber and silk together.
  • Conductors/nonconductors

    Conductors/nonconductors

    Conductors and nonconductors were distinguished by Stephen Gray.
  • Coal discovered

    Coal discovered

    Near Richmond, Virginia, coal was discovered.
  • First recorded coal shipment

    First recorded coal shipment

    In 1758, the first shipment of coal was recorded.
  • First steam engine patented

    First steam engine patented

    The James Watt steam engine was patented in 1769.
  • Streets lit with gas lights

    Streets lit with gas lights

    The first city to light their streets with gas lights was Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Coal cutting machines available

    Coal cutting machines available

    In the 1880s, coal cutting machines became available in the US.
  • Wood used to heat houses

    Wood used to heat houses

    By now, the majority of houses in the US used wood to generate heat.
  • First nuclear power plant

    First nuclear power plant

    In Pennsylvania, the first nuclear power plant was built.
  • First electric car

    First electric car

    The first electric car was made by General Motors in 1990.