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The History of Nuclear Energy

  • Petroleum Becomes Most Used Fuel in the US

    Petroleum Becomes Most Used Fuel in the US
    Petroleum becomes most used in the US due to high deamand for usage on cars. Petroleum then became the highest used fuel shortly.
  • Natural Gas Becomes a Major Fuel in US with Extensive Construction of Natural Gas Pipelines

    Natural Gas Becomes a Major Fuel in US with Extensive Construction of Natural Gas Pipelines
    Natural gas pipelines in the 1950's were starting to become more used. Before the 1950 such system as a gas pipline was almost prohibitive. During the 1950's and 1960's, the of gas piplines were being constructed.
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    Nuclear Power Timeline

  • First Nuclear Power Reactor to Generate Electricity Built in Idaho

    First Nuclear Power Reactor to Generate Electricity Built in Idaho
    The power plant was an experimental breeder reactor and is still up. Since it was the first reactor it isnt too impressive as the modern reactors of today but it was a great achievment for all staff members who constructed the raetor.
  • First Silicon Solar Cell Developed at Bell Laboratories

    First Silicon Solar Cell Developed at Bell Laboratories
    In 1953 a Silicon Solar Cell was developed that produced electric energy from the sun. The Silicon Solar Cell had measurable electric current so it was the beginning of many possibilities from a limitless source being the sun.
  • US Congress Passes Atomic Energy Act of 1954

    US Congress Passes Atomic Energy Act of 1954
    This lead to an act where it said that atomic energy was going to used only in peaceful purposes. There were also regulations that were created to protect the health of many from radiation and other harmful aspects of the reactor. The Atomic Energy Commision (AEC) are who created peacetime development of atomic science and technology egulations.
  • "Hubbert's Peak Theory"

    "Hubbert's Peak Theory"
    The "Hubbert's Peak Theory" was created by M. King Hubbard. This theory was created to predict the amount of oil supply and it's decline in production in it's peak. This theory is still being used today by scientist to study the peak of oil supply.
  • Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act of 1957

    Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act of 1957
    With this act a private industry can construct their own operational reactor. They were also able to participate in nuclear activities. The problem is that when making an incident occur, the fee is $560 million.
  • First Commercial Nuclear Power Plant

    First Commercial Nuclear Power Plant
    The first commercial used power plant was built in shippingport, Pennsylvania. This power plant was also the first reactor to be built in a large scale. The reactor was later retired in 1982, then in 1987 the reactor site was then cleaned.
  • US Satellite in Orbit Utilizes Solar Cells for Power

    US Satellite in Orbit Utilizes Solar Cells for Power
    The satalite with Solar Cells is a grea idea because with a satalite powered from a battery would not last long. In fact a battery powered satalite would only last about a few days while Solar Cells could power the satalite for years.
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cells to Generate Electricity

    Hydrogen Fuel Cells to Generate Electricity
    Hydrogen Fuel Cells is what powered up the Apollo and Gemini Space Missions with electricity. The fuel cell can run continuously because its fuel and oxygen are external.
  • Geothermal Electric Plants in the US

    Geothermal Electric Plants in the US
    First geothermal electric plan was built in the US in Northern California at The Geysers. It creates a large amont of energy and is the largest geothermal electric plant.
  • Santa Barbara oil spill

    Santa Barbara oil spill
    235,000 gallons of oil was spilled in the ocean
  • Oil production in 48 states

    Oil production in 48 states
    Oil production in 48 states reach it's highest production rate, 9.4 million barrels per day.
  • Solar Cells Begin to Lower in Price

    Solar Cells Begin to Lower in Price
    Solar Cells start to become more effective on land due to technology and lower cost in price. The price difference has gone done to become 80% cheaper. So a $100 watt is now a $20 watt.