10 Key Historical Energy Events in the US

  • Ben Franklin

    Ben Franklin
    Proved that static electricity and lightning were the same thing by tying a key to a kite during a thunderstorm
  • Joseph Henry

    Joseph Henry
    Invented the electric relay. This could send electrical currents far distances
  • Thomas Davenport

    Thomas Davenport
    Invented the electric motor; which is used in most electrical appliances today
  • Samuel Morse

    Samuel Morse
    Invented the electric telegraph. A machine that could send messages far distances across wires
  • Thomas Edison

    Thomas Edison
    Invented an incandescent light bulb that could be used up to 40 hours without burning out
  • William Stanely

    William Stanely
    Built the first AC system
  • Charles F. Brush

    Charles F. Brush
    Used the first large windmill to generate electricity in Cleveland, Ohio
  • Henry Ford

    Henry Ford
    Built his first automobile, the quadricycle, to run on pure ethanol
  • Herman Blumgart

    Herman Blumgart
    Used radioactive tracers to diagnose heart disease
  • Frederick M. Jones

    Frederick M. Jones
    Invented first automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks