Energy
timelines - coal 
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Coal is called a fossil fuel because it was formed from the
remains of vegetation that grew as long as 400 million years
ago. It is often referred to as "buried sunshine,"
because the plants which formed coal captured energy from
the sun through photosynthesis to create the compounds that
make up plant tissues. |
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1763-1774 |
Pumping water from coal mines was a most difficult and expensive
problem. The steam engine developed by James Watt during these
years provided the solution. Watt's steam engine remained
basically unchanged for the next century and its uses expanded
to change the whole nature of industry and transportation.
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1885-1950 |
Coal was the most important fuel. One half ton of coal produced
as much energy as 2 tons of wood and at half the cost. But
it was hard to stay clean in houses heated with coal.
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Late
1860’s |
The
steel industry gave coal a big boost. |
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1882 |
The
first practical coal-fired electric generating station, developed
by Thomas Edison, went into operation in New York City to
supply electricity for household lights.
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1885 |
A
converted wooden dredge with a 50-foot boom was used to uncover
a coal bed under 35 feet of overburden.
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1910 |
Surface mining was underway with steam shovels specifically
designed for coal mining. |
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1920's |
Mechanical
coal-loading equipment replaced hand loading and increased
productivity. Mules and, to a lesser degree, horses and oxen
were used to haul coal and refuse in and around the early
mines; a few dogs were used in small mines working thin coal
beds. In time, the animals were replaced by electric locomotives,
dubbed "electric mules," and other haulage equipment.
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