Historic Energy Events

First ethanol engine invented

Mar 12, 1826

In 1826 Smuel Morey invented the first engine to run on ethanol which was made since the 1500's this engine would later be modified and put in the famous Model-t

First major use of electricity

Aug 17, 1840

Electricity was first widely used by the telegraph in 1840 and is now a major part of our daily lives

Petroleum refinement discovered

Sep 24, 1840

Petroleum was first refined in 1840 by James Young it was first used as a feul for lamps.

Firtst Hydroelecteric power in U.S.

Jun 25, 1882

Appleton, Wisconsin became the first operational hydroelectric generating station in the United States, in 1882, producing 12.5 kilowatts (kW) of power

Coal first used for electricity

Sep 28, 1882

Coal had been used In steam engines for decade before 1882 when Thomas Edison invented the first coal firing electric generating station.

Modern use for natural gas

Sep 8, 1885

In 1185 Robert Bunsen invents the bunsen burner which allowed natural gas to produce heat safely and lead to natural gas being used toheat homes.

Modern wind turbines invented

Jun 25, 1890

The modern wind turbine (one that produces electricity by genertator) first appeared in denmark and then were used by the U.S. in wwII to conserve fossil feuls

First geothermal powerplant

Sep 19, 1904

In Lardello Fields geothermal steam was first used to produce elctricity for the first time.

Modern Solar Cell Invented by Russell Ohl

Jan 1, 1941

The first really effiecient solar cell was made by Russell Ohl in 1941.

First comercial nuclear reactor

Jun 25, 1960

In the USA, Westinghouse designed the first fully commercial PWR of 250 MWe, Yankee Rowe, which started up in 1960 and provided electrity till 1992.