History of Electricity

• Mid-1800's- People relied on wood-burning stoves and kerosene-fueled lamps
• 1879- Thomas Edison invents a long-lasting light bulb
• 1884-Nikola Tesla invented the electric alternator, producing alternating current (AC). His system was better for sending electricity over long distances.
• 1893-George Westinghouse used an AC system to bring electricity to the Chicago World's Fair.
• 1920-The Federal Power Commission was created..
• 1941-Russel Ohl invents the first solar cell.
• 1954-Three U.S. researchers design the first solar panel.
• 1957-The first Nuclear power plant in the U.S. opened.

Electricity Today

• Today we get power from converting primary sources like coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear, and other natural sources.
• Generating electricity creates the most pollution out of any industry in the U.S.
• Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil creates greenhouse gases, smog and acid rain.
• They are non-renewable sources of energy meaning once we use them, they are gone and we cannot create more.