Key Historical Energy Events

Ben Franklin-lightning

Jun 15, 1752

By using a key and a kite in a lightning storms, Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was actually static electricity.

Steam Engine

Jan 1, 1775

James Watt of England invents the steam engine which jump starts the Industrial Revolution in England and consequently America.

Bioelectricity

Jan 31, 1791

Luigi Aloisio Galvani made advances in bioelectricity which helps us understand the nervous system.

Internal Combustion Engine

Jan 1, 1823

The first internal combustion engine used for industry was patented by Samuel Brown.

Telegraph

Jan 1, 1835

Samuel Morse invents the telegraph which allows for incredible easy of communication through his invention, Morse Code. The messages could be submitted through a wire.

Fuel Cell

Jan 1, 1839

Fuel cells, which produce energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, are created by SIr William Robert Grove.

Windmills

Jan 1, 1888

Charles Brush of Cleveland, OH buiilds the first windmill used for electricity. It was 17 metres tall and used 144 cedar rotor blades. It had a capacity of 12 kilowatts.

Becquerel-solar power

Jan 1, 1890

Henri Becquerel uses an electrolyic cell to observe solar energy.

Power Plants

Jan 1, 1904

Piero Ginori Conti sets up the first geothermal electric power plant; one of the first examples of alternative energy.

Ruby Laser

Jan 1, 1960

Theodore Maiman creates the first successful light laser; the ruby laser.