Timeline
Key points in coal's timeline
• 400 million years ago: Coal deposits begin forming, with the most significant deposits forming during the Carboniferous Period.
• 2nd–3rd centuries AD: The Romans use coal in Britain for heating and industry.
• 1300s: Native Americans in the U.S. Southwest use coal for heating and cooking.
• 1763–1775: James Watt develops a steam engine, which is used to drain mines and is powered by coal.
• 1770s: Coal is found to produce a cleaner, hotter fuel than wood charcoal.
• 1800s: The Industrial Revolution leads to the spread of coal use for powering factories, steamboats, and railroads.
• 1880s: Coal becomes the largest source of energy in the United States, overtaking wood.
• 1882: Thomas Edison's first practical coal-fired electric generating station opens in New York City.
• 1906–1920: Coal provides more than three-quarters of U.S. energy.
• 1947–1950s: Coal's dominance ends as it is surpassed by petroleum as the largest energy source.
• 400 million years ago: Coal deposits begin forming, with the most significant deposits forming during the Carboniferous Period.
• 2nd–3rd centuries AD: The Romans use coal in Britain for heating and industry.
• 1300s: Native Americans in the U.S. Southwest use coal for heating and cooking.
• 1763–1775: James Watt develops a steam engine, which is used to drain mines and is powered by coal.
• 1770s: Coal is found to produce a cleaner, hotter fuel than wood charcoal.
• 1800s: The Industrial Revolution leads to the spread of coal use for powering factories, steamboats, and railroads.
• 1880s: Coal becomes the largest source of energy in the United States, overtaking wood.
• 1882: Thomas Edison's first practical coal-fired electric generating station opens in New York City.
• 1906–1920: Coal provides more than three-quarters of U.S. energy.
• 1947–1950s: Coal's dominance ends as it is surpassed by petroleum as the largest energy source.
