Ten Big Energy Events in History

George Ohm

Apr 29, 1826

He discovered the relationship between power, voltage, resistence, and current.

First Electric Motor

Jul 26, 1837

Thomas Davenport invented the electric motor, an invention that is used in most electrical appliances today.

First Rechargeable Battery

Jan 1, 1859

Gaston Plante invents the lead-acid battery, which is the first commercial rechargeable electric battery

Incandescent Lighbulb

Sep 8, 1878

Joseph Swan, an Englishman, invented the first incandescent lightbulb

First Hydroelectric Power Plant

Sep 30, 1882

On September 30, 1882, the world's first hydroelectric power plant began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. The plant, later named the Appleton Edison Light Company, was initiated by Appleton paper manufacturer H.J. Rogers, who had been inspired by Thomas Edison's plans for an electricity-producing station in New York.

First AC system

Mar 2, 1911

Electric air conditioning, invented by W. Carrier

"New Deal"

Feb 25, 1935

The Roosevelt Administration passed the "New Deal" legislation (to help regulate public utilities and bring electricity to rural America.)

First Electric Wind Turbine

Oct 19, 1941

The first wind turbine, planted in the West, it was decommissioned after an accident in 1945, but until then, it had operated for over 1,100 hours.

First Controlled Nuclear Reaction

Dec 2, 1942

Dr. Enrico Fermi achieves the first controlled nuclear chain reaction with the first demonstration reactor—the Chicago Pile 1.

Modern Solar Cell

Jan 1, 1954

Bell Labs announces the invention of the first moder silicon solar cell. It is presented at the National Academy of Science Meeting