historical energy events By brianna militello Jan 1, 1695 first steam engine invented Jan 1, 1809 first electric light bulb created Aug 2, 1859 first oil well in U.S. Jan 1, 1880 first battery created Jan 31, 1880 first hydropower plant Jul 1, 1887 first wind turbines were created Jan 31, 1896 nuclear energy discovered Jan 31, 1904 first geothermal power plant Sep 28, 1954 solar panel production Jan 31, 1975 biomass invented