Alternative energy

Timeline of Energy Use in the USA

By quiquehst
  • Period: to

    History of the United States

  • First gas-powered street light in the USA.

    First gas-powered street light in the USA.

    Baltimore, Maryland becomes the first city in the country to have street lights fueled by gases from coal.
  • Edwin Drake successfully drills for oil in Pennsylvania.

    Edwin Drake successfully drills for oil in Pennsylvania.

    Oil is found from drilling in Titusville, Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake, who was working for Seneca Oil Company.
  • Thomas Edison starts electrical power distribution center in New York.

    Thomas Edison starts electrical power distribution center in New York.

    Thomas Edison officially turns on his patented electrical power distribution system to provide direct current electricity to 59 customers.
  • First hydroelectric power station.

    First hydroelectric power station.

    The first hydroelectric power station is turned on in Appleton, Wisconsin, and begins supplying electricity for the local area.
  • Henry Ford introduces the Ford Model T

    Henry Ford introduces the Ford Model T

    Henry Ford begins production of the first "affordable" automobile using assembly lines. This Model T can run on gasoline or ethanol.
  • First petroleum refinery.

    First petroleum refinery.

    First continuous process petroleum refinery completed by Shell Oil Company in West Virginia. This refinery serves as the model for many US refineries for years to come.
  • First commercial liquefacion plant.

    First commercial liquefacion plant.

    LNG begins being liquefied in plant in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Oil becomes the most used energy source.

    Oil becomes the most used energy source.

    The widespread usage of the automobile brings oil to the top of the most used energy sources.
  • Solar power becomes possibility.

    Solar power becomes possibility.

    Researchers in the space program invent photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy into electricity.
  • First commercial nuclear power plant

    First commercial nuclear power plant

    Shippingport, Pennsylvania becomes the site of the first commercial nuclear power plant, through the splitting of uranium.