Historical Energy Events

  • Ben Franklin discovered Electricity

    Ben Franklin discovered Electricity
    Franklin was outside with his son playing with a kite that had a key on it. When he toughed the key, he felt the shock of electricity.
  • Electric Batteries were Invented

    Electric Batteries were Invented
    In 1800, Alessandro Volta created the 'Volt,' named after Alessandro himself.
  • First Electric Motor

    First Electric Motor
    Michael Farady invented the first electrical motor. (Month and Date is unknown.)
  • Electric Relay was Invented

    Electric Relay was Invented
    In 1825, Joseph Henry invented the electrical relay was invented, which could send electrical currents over long distances.
  • First Fuel Cell

    First Fuel Cell
    Sir William Robert Grove developed the first fuel cell. A fuel cell is an object that combines both hydrogen and oxygen to produce energy.
  • First Incandescent Lightbulb

    First Incandescent Lightbulb
    Normally we think that Thomas Edison created the incandescent light bulb. Well, he created a light bulb that burned longer, but not the first. The first incandescent light bulb came from an inventor named Joseph Swan. (Month and date is unknown)
  • Hydroelectric Dam

    Hydroelectric Dam
    The world's first Hydroelectric dam was built by H.J. Rogers and began operations on September 30, 1882. It was located on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin, and used natural energy instead of a generator.
  • First Electricity Turbine is Built

    First Electricity Turbine is Built
    James Blyth, a Scottish Academic, installed one of these turbine to light his Holiday Home. It was the first of it's kind.
  • Power Line from US to Canada

    Power Line from US to Canada
    A power line was built stretching from the United States side to the Canadian side of the border. (Month and date is unknown)
  • First Power Plant with only Pulverized Coal

    First Power Plant with only Pulverized Coal
    The Lakeside Power Plant in Wisconsin, eventually became the first power plant to burn only pulverized coal. It is believed that because this coal is so fine, that it will burn almost as easily as a gas.