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Discovery of Electricity
Benjamin Franklin discovered the nature of electricity when he flew a key on a kite during a thunderstorm.
Information from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/franklin-flies-kite-during-thunderstorm
Image from http://donaldsweblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/electricity.html -
Invention of the Telegraph
Samuel Morse invents the telegraph which send messages using electricity. He sent the first message Washington D.C. to Baltimore.
Information from http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/telegraph
Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Morse#/media/File:Morse_telegraph.jpg -
Light Bulb Patent
Thomas Edison filed for a patent for his light bulb invention. It was later granted in 1880.
Information from http://americanhistory.si.edu/lighting/history/patents/ed_inc.htm
Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison#/media/File:Light_bulb_Edison_2.jpg -
First Rooftop Solar Panels
Charles Fritts invented the selenium cell in 1883 and installed the first rooftop solar panels on a New York rooftop in 1884.
Information from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fritts
Image from https://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/31/photovoltaic-dreaming-first-attempts-commercializing-pv/ -
Charles Brush Builds First Wind-Powered Turbine in Ohio
Charles Brush introduced wind power to Ohio when he built his turbine during the summer of 1887. It produced as much as 12 kilowatts and lasted for 20 years.
Information from http://www.greenenergyohio.org/page.cfm?pageId=341
Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_F._Brush#/media/File:Wind_turbine_1888_Charles_Brush.jpg -
Tesla Demonstrates Alternating Current
Alternating Current is demonstrated by Nikola Tesla at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. His lecture was titled "A new system of alternate current motors and transformers".
Information from http://web.mit.edu/most/Public/Tesla1/etradict2.htm
Image from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/284183464_fig2_Fig-4-Nikola-Tesla%27s-ac-induction-motor-demonstrated-in-1887-Courtesy-20 -
First Execution Using The Electric Chair
In order to convince consumers that they should invest in direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC), Edison invented the Electric Chair which used AC. The chair was tested on William Kemmler who was convicted of murdering his lover.
Information from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/edison-vs-westinghouse-a-shocking-rivalry-102146036/
Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_chair#/media/File:Kemmler_ex%C3%A9cut%C3%A9_par_l%27%C3%A9lectricit%C3%A9.jpg -
The Hoover Dam Is Completed
The largest dam of its time, the Hoover Dam helped to provide work during the Great Depression and continues to provide energy for the southwest. The availability of such energy helped some of America's biggest cities develop. Information from
Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam#/media/File:Ansel_Adams_-_National_Archives_79-AAB-01.jpg -
The Atomic Energy Act
Congress passed the Atomic Energy Act in order to allow private business to generate nuclear energy. Some of the most important parts of the act allows for the civilian use of nuclear energy and establishes regulations for nuclear energy. Information from https://environmentallaw.uslegal.com/federal-laws/atomic-energy-act/
Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_Energy_Act_of_1946#/media/File:Atomic_Energy_Act_of_1946_signing.jpg -
The First Commercial Geothermal Energy Plant Opens In America
The first geothermal energy plant was owned by Pacific Gas and Electric. It was located at The Geysers in California. It first generated 11 megawatts. Information from https://energy.gov/eere/geothermal/history-geothermal-energy-america
Image from http://www.geysers.com/history.aspx
