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Commercial production of coal begins
Commercial production of coal begins in the United States near Richmond, Virginia. Coal was used to manufacture war material during the Revolutionary War. -
Ben Franklin discovers electricity
Ben Franklin proves the existance lightning/electricity. Later that year, he invented the lightning rod.This opened the doors for future energy research and the development of electricity. -
Industrial Revolution
Before the industrial revolution, much of the world was solely dependent upon manual labor. The Industrial Revolution brought in a machine-based approach to things. The use of machines led to more energy being used by everyday people. -
Coal becomes main fuel used by railroads
Railroad companies proclaim coal the best fuel for powering trains. More people begin using coal, and it enters middle-class family households. -
Gas lit street lamps.
In Baltimore, Maryland, street lamps are lit with gas made from coal. This is a revolutionary development in energy, and this is the first city in the country to do this. -
Michael Faraday Invents Electric Motor
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First Electric Refrigerator Invented
In 1913, the first electric refrigerator is invented by Fred W. Wolf. -
Nation's First Petrolium Refinery
Shell founds the first modern Petrolium refinery in Southern California. -
Worl'd First Wind Generator
The world's first utility sized wind generator is built in 1931on the shore of the Caspian Sea. -
GM introduces first electric car
General Motor's inrtoduces one of the world's first electic cars, called "The Impact."
