The Evolution of Power By pippogio 1839 Discovery of photovoltaic effect 1880 belt-driven dynamo powered by a water turbin 1880 First wind turbine 1882 first solar cell 1884 First steam turbine generator 1895 accidental discovery of X-rays 1900 radio-activity was discovered 1905 Relativity Theory 1909 First pupmped storage plant 1942 Nuclear Reactor 1948 GE installed the first real gas turbine Period: 1978 to 2000 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Acts 1991 first offshore wind farm