The History of Energy in the United States

First Commercial Coal Production in US Begins in Richmond, VA

Jan 1, 1748

By the late 1700s the coal was being used to heat the homes of early settlers. Picture: http://www.historyinsidepictures.com/Pages/MonongahCoalMineTownandFairmontCoalCompanyHistoryandPictures.aspx

Process of Electrolysis Discovered

Jan 1, 1800

William Nicholson and Sit Anthony Carlisle discover that applying electric currents to water produces hydrogen and oxygen gases, which will aid in the development of hydrogen energy. Picture: http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/collections/chemistry-calendar/may-2#otdic_content

First Natural Gas Well in US Drilled

Jan 1, 1821

William Hart, regarded as the “father of natural gas” dug the first gas well in the US in Fredonia, NY. Picture: http://www.naturphilosophie.co.uk/craic-fracking-technical-facts-hydraulic-fracturing/

Coal Becomes Primary Locomotive Fuel in US, Displacing Wood

Jan 1, 1830

The Tom Thumb, the first American-built locomotive, was manufactured to burn coal. This proves to be a big turning point in the coal industry! Picture: https://www.pinterest.com/achris3470/trains/

Windmill Becomes Popular Water Pumping Tool of Western Homesteaders and Railroad Builders

Jan 1, 1850

Windmills transformed the resource of wind into an agent to alleviate the shortage of water. Windmills will soon be established throughout the US. Picture: http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015

First Commercial Oil Well Drilled by Edwin Drake in PA; Kerosene Begins to Displace Other Lamp Fuels

Jan 1, 1859

As coal gas was growing more popular than whale oil, it was not the most efficient fuel. E.L. Drake sought petroleum with a small steam engine, and started America’s first petroleum rush! The petroleum was then refined to Kerosene, and became the new way to light homes. Picture: http://statemuseumpa.org/hat-connects-drake-well-historic-founder/

John D. Rockefeller Forms Standard Oil and Develops Petroleum as a Major Energy Source in the US.

Jan 1, 1870

Rockefeller formed the Standard Oil Company of Ohio and headed up oil exploration! Petroleum would now become the primary energy source around the world. Picture: https://ushist4b.wikispaces.com/rockefeller+and+standard+oil-b

Thomas Edison Builds the First Electric Plant in NY

Sep 4, 1882

On September 4, Edison threw the switch that would start up America’s first power plant! Picture: https://9581230567.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-history-of-electrification.html

Worlds First Flex Fuel Vehicle, The Ford Model-T, Goes into Mass Production

Jan 1, 1908

The Ford Model-T is the first vehicle to run on either ethanol or gasoline, and this will shape the transportation world to how it is today! Picture: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/September-October-08/On-this-Day--The-First-Model-T-Ford-Is-Produced.html

Hoover Dam, the World’s Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant, is built

Jan 1, 1935

Starting construction in 1931, the dam is finished in 1935 and remains the largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world until 1948! Picture: http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015