The History of Energy Usage

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  • commercial coal mining starts

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 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 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

    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 Motors unveils the first totally electric four-door sedan

    Tesla's release spurred many other automobile companies to produce hybrid electric cars.