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Many people in China were using coal to heat their homes and cook food. It was later ignored when wood became popular, but became common again after there was a shortage of wood.
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The Dutch had developed the idea of windmills and began using them for many everyday activities, like grinding grain and spices.
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In 1821, a well was dug in New York. This was the first time in US history that a well was dug specifically for the purpose of obtaining natural gas.
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In the west, Windmills were becoming popular for the use of pumping water. These were a big help to early pioneers railroad builders.
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The oil industry was advancing. John D. Rockefeller transformed the petroleum industry. Oil was becoming more popular, and its uses were becoming more numerous. He was able to develop a massive company and became one of the most successful businessmen in the west;
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Thomas Edison had the first ever electrical plant built in New York. It was located near Wall Street.
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Charles F. Brush developed a windmill that could be used to generate electricity in Cleveland, Ohio. It was the first success of its kind. Its capacity load was 12,000 watts.
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Geysers were discovered long before this, but were not being used as energy sources. A geothermal well was dug by John D. Grant and was able to generate energy for lighting in California.
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The world's largest Hydroelectric Power Plant (at the time), the Hoover dam, was built in Arizona.
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President Jimmy Carter signed the Department of Energy Organization Act. The US was facing many issues regarding energy, so they formed this department to manage and handle these issues.
