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Production of Coal
Commercial production of coal begins near Richmond, Virginia. -
Period: to
1700s to 1900s
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Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin discovers that lightning is electricity. -
Coal
Coal becomes the only fuel used by the railway system. -
Street lights
Baltimore, Maryland is the first city to use street lights lit with gas made from coal. -
Edwin Drake
Edwin Drake is the first person to drill for oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania and is successful. -
Wood
Wood is the most popular fuel for heating homes and for cooking. -
Hydroelectric power
The first hydroelectric power station opens in Wisconsin. -
Henry Ford
Henry Ford introduces the first successful car, which runs on gasoline or ethanol. -
Natural gas
The first liquified natural gas plant opens in West Virginia. -
Petroleum refinery
The nation's first petroleum refinery is founded by Shell in Martinez, California.
