Energy Use in the United States

Lightning

Oct 3, 1752

Benjamin Franklin flies a kite with a metal wire during a thunderstorm and proves that lightning is a form of energy marking the beginning of developing electricity.

Coal

Oct 3, 1800

Coal use skyrockets being use as the primary energy source for railroads as well as a source of fuel in the home.

Gas Lamps

Oct 3, 1816

Baltimore, Maryland becomes the first city to light their street lamps with gas made from coal.

Oil

Oct 3, 1859

Edwin Drake drills for oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania for the first time and is successful.

Wood

Oct 3, 1860

Wood becomes the most popular source of fuel for heating homes and cooking and is relied on heavily by both homes and businesses.

Lighting Households

Oct 3, 1882

Thomas Edison starts the first coal-fired power station in New York City to supply electricity to light households. It is the first modern electricity generating station.

Hydroelectricity

Oct 3, 1896

Development begins on the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project which is designed to provide energy all the way to Buffalo, NY.

Gasoline Cars

Oct 3, 1908

Henry Ford introduces the Model T, the first successful car that runs on gasoline or ethanol.

Solar Power

Oct 3, 1950

The first photovoltaic cells are invented to convert sun into electricity. They are used first in the space program to power satellies.

Nuclear Power

Oct 3, 1957

The first commercial nuclear power plant goes into service in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, creating energy by splitting atoms of uranium.

Electric Automobiles

Oct 3, 1990

General Motors Corporation introduces one of the first electric automobiles, called "The Impact".

Wind Energy

Oct 3, 2000

Shell Wind Energy is established focusing on the development and operation of wind farms