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Fire in the 1700s
In the 1700's wood was burned as a fuel in almost every American home and business. -
Coal Use
Commercial use of coal begins in the U.S. around 1750. -
First Natural Gas Well in US Is Drilled
In 1821, the first well specifically intended to obtain natural gas was dug in Fredonia, New York, by William Hart. -
The Start of Geothermal Energy
settlers founded the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where, in 1830, Asa Thompson charged one dollar each for the use of three spring-fed baths in a wooden tub, and the first known commercial use of geothermal energy occurred. -
Use of HydroElectricity
While not widely spread, the use of hydroelectricity began around 1850. -
Windmill Becomes Popular Water Pumping Tool
Windmill Becomes Popular Water Pumping Tool of Western Homesteaders and Railroad Builders -
The Boom of Natural Gases
Demand for oil and gas grew rapidly and they each surpassed coal in importance in the mid-1900's. -
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy makes its debut as the newest and most controversial form of energy in America. -
Solar Cells Begin to Lower in Price and Become Cost Effective
Solar-cell technology proved too expensive for terrestrial use until the early 1970s when Dr. Elliot Berman, with financial help from Exxon Corporation, designed a significantly less costly solar cell by using a poorer grade of silicon and packaging the cells with cheaper materials. -
Petroleum Peak
Petroleum energy increased quickly from 2.4% in 1900, peaking at 47% in 1977, and since the 1980’s has stabilized to around 40%.
