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Discovery of Electricity
Ben Franklin was the first to discover electricity. In order to do so he tied a key onto a kite during a storm and proved that static electricity and lightning were the same. His discovery has shaped the world into what it is today. -
Creation of the Electric Motor
Thomas Davenport invented the direct current electric motor, an invention that is used in most electrical appliances today. This device is operated by battery power, consisting of a wheel, two spokes of which were electromagnets, placed between two stationary electromagnets. When current was applied to the stationary magnets and through a commutator switch to the wheel magnets, the wheel rotated. His invention changed the outlook on electrical possibilities. -
Creation of the Electric Telegraph
Samuel Morse invented the electric telegraph, which is a machine that can send messages long distances across wire. This device revolutionized long distance communication. -
Invention of the Lightbulb
Thomas Edison invented an incandescent light bulb, that after many tries could be used for about 40 hours without burning out. He had many fail attempts before he was finally successful. By 1880 his bulbs could be used for 1200 hours. His invention helped to shape the power industry into what it is today. -
Wind Turbine
This first wind turbine built to generate electricity was built in Cleveland, Ohio by U.S. scientist and businessman Charles Brush. Measuring 17 meters tall and using 144 cedar rotor blades, it has a capacity of 12 kilowatts. This invention was the beginning of the search alternative energy sources. -
First Geothermal Power Plant is Built
The world's first geothermal power plant was built in California, near the Geysers that were discovered, north of San Francisco, many years before. The energy source came from came from drilling a well and sticking a director-current generator down the well to capture the steam from the geysers. However, at the time this process was way to expensive to compete in the energy market. -
World's Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant - the Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam was built along the Colorado River in Arizona. It was the largest hydroelectric plant at the time it was built, and it remained the largest producer of hydroelectric power until 1948. -
First Nuclear Power Reactor to Generate Electricity
The first nuclear power reactor that was able to generate electricity was built in Idaho by 16 scientist and engineers that were members of the Argonne National Laboratory. The first reaction was barely able to produce enough power to power a string of 4, 100-watt light bulbs. This event played a major role in developing the power industry into what it is today. -
The First US Satellite in Orbit that Utilizes Solar Cells for Power
The US Army and Air Force liked the idea of solar cells, and they had planned on using them for a top secret project, the orbiting satellites. However, when they finally got ready to launch the satellites the US Navy was granted the task and decided against using solar cells. It took until Dr. Ziegler was able to convince the US Navy that solar cells would last longer than normal batteries, before solar cells were used on orbiting satellites. -
Chernobyl - Largest Nuclear Accident Ever to Take Place
On April 26, 1986 the Unit 4 reactor at the nuclear power station in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in the former Soviet Union, exploded. The Unit 4 accident was caused by a sudden surge of power that destroyed the reactor, releasing lots of radioactive material. The results of the explosion were horrific, many lost their lives, or their lives were altered in a way that never can be repaired. -
Sources
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/10-key-historical-energy-events--4 http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015 http://www.edisontechcenter.org/DavenportThomas.html https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Davenport http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/telegraph
