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Edison Discovers Incandescent Light
Thomas Edison discover the incandescent light bilb, which was the fundamental source of light energy leading into the discovery of many more efficient sources of light/energy. http://thomasedisonchandak.weebly.com/inventions-and-discoveries.html
http://movieweb.com/thomas-edison-movie-jj-abrams-bad-robot/ -
Nikola Tesla Discovers Rotating Magnetic Field
The rotating magnetic field is a fundamental principle in physics and the basis of nearly all devices that use alternating current. Tesla adapted the rotating magnetic field for the making of alternating current induction motor and the polyphase system for the generation, transmission, distribution and use of electrical power. http://www.teslasociety.com/biography.htm
http://www.projectsnext.com/wireless-electricity-and-nikola-tesla/ -
The Discovery of Geothermal Energy
The first use of geothermal energy was used in Boise, Idaho to heat over 200 homes and 40 downtown businesses. http://energy.gov/eere/geothermal/history-geothermal-energy-america
http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/212_spring2011.web.dir/Kevin_McCarthy/ -
Albert Einstein Discovers the Equation for the Theory of Relativity
Although Einstein's discovery of this equation was not directed towards helping discover nuclear energy, it became a gateway of sorts that set the foundation for nuclear energy. http://www.famousscientists.org/albert-einstein/
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/albert_einstein.php -
First Commercial Wind Energy Sources Developed
Marcellus and Joe Jacobs develop the first commercially available wind turbine for electricity generation. They created a wind powered turbine based on the design of earlier water pump mills. The design succeeds when they replace the blades of the water pump mills with modern air plane propellers. http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015 -
The First Uses of Nuclear in the U.S
In 1951, An experimental liquid-metal cooled reactor in Idaho called EBR-I was attached to a generator producing the first nuclear-generated electricity. This was possible because of the research done while trying to create the atomic bomb. http://www.whatisnuclear.com/articles/nuclear_history.html
https://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/n/nuclear-power-plant-world-wide.htm -
The Discovery of the First Solar Cell
Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and Daryl Chapin, discovered the silicon solar cell in 1953. This cell actually produced enough electricity and was efficient enough to run small electrical devices. This was the gateway discovery into the solar energy we harness today. https://www.experience.com/alumnus/article?channel_id=energy_utilities&source_page=additional_articles&article_id=article_1130427780670
http://www.csioffgridsolar.com/history-of-solar.html -
U.S. Department of Energy Created
The rapidly escalating global energy issues convinced the U.S. Government that a sharper focus should be applied to federal energy programs. On August 4, 1977, President Carter signed the Department of Energy Organization Act http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015 -
Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 is Established
The Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 authorized activities leading to production, storage, transformation, and use of hydrogen for industrial, residential, transportation, and utility applications in order to further expand hydrogen power development. http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/hydrogen-economy4.htm -
Clean Power Plan Announced
The administration's Clean Power Plan will force the utility industry to shift toward cleaner-burning energy sources for decades to come as the EPA sets the first-ever limits on greenhouse gases from power plants, requiring a 32% cut in emissions by 2030 from 2005 levels. The regulations also seek to prevent the electricity industry from becoming more dependent on natural gas. http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000015
