-
commercial coal mining starts
the mine, built near Richmond, Virginia, provided valuable war materials during the Revolutionary War. -
the first coal-fueled locomotive train is successfully tested
Locomotive engineer George Stephenson successfully tests his "Blutcher" model carrying several wagons full of coal. -
first oil well drilled in Pennsylvania
the drill ushered in an era of global dependance on oil and other products of natural gas -
coal and oil power plants are established as a source of power
the burning of coal produced steam, which turned a turbine that then produced electricity for a growing number of residences and factories. -
Inventor Nicola Tesla builds the tesla coil
Tesla's electrically powered coil would become the predecessor to Edison's famous light bulb. -
Nuclear Power is first discovered
while nuclear power was initially discovered as a destructive force in world war II, it was later cultivated as a valuable source of energy. -
solar energy becomes commercialized
solar cells are hailed as a valuable, highly efficient source of energy for homes and businesses -
natural gas use becomes widespread
natural gas and fossil fuels, all nonrenewable resources, quickly fall into high demand across the world. -
compact flourescent lightbulbs begin to replace the more expensive, less efficient incandescent bulbs
by 2010, the average american family is saving $100 on their electric bill. -
Tesla Motors unveils the first totally electric four-door sedan
Tesla's release spurred many other automobile companies to produce hybrid electric cars.
