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Jan 1, 1000
The Water Wheel
3000 BC was the first reference of the water wheel. This was the first step in human history towards using nature's power. -
Beginning of the Industrial Revolution
This was the point in history in which the US began to use fossil fuels and use a lot of energy in general as they discovered new ways to make life easier! -
Invention of the Steam Engine
The Steam Engine was a major invention in the world's history. This led to the discovery of more uses of natural resources. -
Invention of the Light Bulb
Thomas Edison's invention created a world in which you could work at all hours...it made it easy to discover new energies! In addition, this was the first use of electrical energy, which we still use today. -
Development of Nuclear Power
The Manhattan project's efforts in creating the nuclear bomb, revolutionized power for the world. Nuclear energy is a usable energy source, although we are still scared of it today. -
Creation of the Hydrogen Bomb
This was important as it led tothe idea of hydrogen atoms being used for power...still being developed! -
Solar Power Usage
During this time, Solar Power became a great possibility for alternative energy. -
Oil Crisis
This was the event that truly triggered the scare about how dependent we are on oil. This is when alternative energies started being thought of. -
Kyoto Protocol
Although the US did not participate in this pact to reduce emissions, this was an important stage in American thinking about energy usage. This sparked a lot of research into alternative energies. -
Ethanol Usage
Although having been in use for other purposes for a couple hundred years, It was in the late 20th century and early 21 century that the US began to consider ethanol as a source of energy.
