10 Key Historical Energy Events || Created by: Haritha Mohan

Ben Franklin ties a key to a kite string during a thunderstorm & proved that static electricity & lightning are the same thing.

Jun 10, 1752

Picture: http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/gettyimages-2793193.png

The Austin Dam (located near Austin, TX), was completed. It was the first dam specifically designed for generating hydro power.

Dec 1, 1893

Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Austin_Dam_2163739414_2af8ec49ea_o.jpg/250px-Austin_Dam_2163739414_2af8ec49ea_o.jpg

The Manhattan Project is formed.

Sep 1, 1939

The Manhattan project was formed in the U.S. to secretly build an atomic bomb, using nuclear technologies, for use in World War II.
Picture: http://www-tc.pbs.org/prod-media/antiques-roadshow/roadie/art201408A06-emblem.jpg

The Grand Coulee, the nation's largest hydroelectric dam, began operation.

Jun 1, 1942

Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Grand_Coulee_Dam_Panorama_Smaller.jpg

Atoms for Peace Program is created.

Dec 8, 1953

President Dwight D. Eisenhower creates this program, which proposed an international agency to develop peaceful nuclear technologies.
Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Atoms_for_Peace_stamp.jpg

The Solar energy research institute was formed.

Jan 1, 1977

The solar energy research institute was a national laboratory that provides research & developmental support for solar technologies.
Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/National_Renewable_Energy_Laboratory.jpg

California Energy became the world's largest geothermal company through its acquisition of Magma Power.

Jan 1, 1994

Picture: http://www.economicdevelopmenthq.com/blog/california-energy-commission-allocates-funds-for-sustainable-development/

NASA's solar powered aircraft, Helios, set a new world altitude record for a non-rocket powered craft.

Sep 1, 1999

Helios' altitude was 96,863 ft.
Picture: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/images/370876main_ED01-0209-5_full.jpg

U.S. geothermal industry became a $1.5 billion/year business that involved electricity generation & thermal energy in direct use (ex: agriculture & indoor heating)

Jan 1, 2006

Picture: http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/eu/images/research/geothermal/station.jpg

Wind Power provided 5% of renewable energy used in U.S..

Jan 1, 2007

Wind power also produced enough electricity to power approximately 2.5 million homes!
Picture: http://populationeducation.org/sites/default/files/wind-turbines-wind-energy.jpg