JOHN R. BUNN, WILDCATTER!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY June 17, 2025 JOHN R. BUNN, WILDCATTER! John R. Bunn was born on June 17, 1901, and became a significant figure in Oklahoma’s early oil industry. A wildcatter who had oil fever. Bunn contributed to the understanding of oil field engineering, especially in the Papoose Oil Field of Oklahoma. In 1926, […]
VANGUARD 1, SOLAR SATELLITE!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 17, 2025 VANGUARD 1, SOLAR SATELLITE! On March 17, 1958, history was made when Vanguard 1, the world’s first solar-powered satellite—launched into orbit. This tiny trailblazer, described as “The Grapefruit Satellite” proved that solar energy could sustain space missions, paving the way for modern satellites and deep-space exploration. Today, solar […]
JAMES B. DUKE
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 4, 2025 JAMES B. DUKE 1On March 4, 1910, James Buchanan Duke became president of the Southern Power Company. Originally a tobacco magnate, Duke was forced to dissolve his business under the Sherman Antitrust Act, leading him to shift his focus to hydroelectric power. Believing that reliable and affordable energy […]
CHARLES GORDON CURTIS
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 10, 2025 CHARLES GORDON CURTIS Charles Gordon Curtis began his career as a patent lawyer, founding his own firm before becoming an inventor who transformed the steam power industry. Born in Boston in 1860, he collaborated with Charles Crocker before launching Curtis Electric Manufacturing Co., where he developed the Curtis […]
NUCLEAR REACTOR IN SPACE!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY April 3, 2025 NUCLEAR REACTOR IN SPACE! The SNAP-10A was the first and only nuclear reactor ever launched into space by the United States. Launched on April 3, 1965, aboard an Atlas-Agena D rocket, it was designed to test the feasibility of using a small nuclear reactor for long-duration space missions. […]
REFINERY OR LANDMARK?
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 6, 2025 REFINERY OR LANDMARK? 14:15 Today, March 6, 1935, the Pioneer Oil Refinery was designated a historical landmark. On this day, we honor the world’s oldest surviving oil refinery, which is nearly 150 years old. Built in 1876 to process petroleum from California’s first oil boom town, Mentryville, the […]
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 146 YEARS!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 3, 2025 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 146 YEARS! On this day, March 3, 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was established to explore and map the nation’s natural resources. Over the decades, USGS research has played a vital role in shaping energy exploration, from fossil fuels to renewables, ensuring a sustainable […]
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 19, 2025 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME! Did you know that Daylight Saving Time was originally introduced as a wartime measure to conserve energy and fuel during World War I? On March 19, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act into law, establishing standard time zones and implementing Daylight Saving […]
SOLAR STORM SHUT DOWN!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY March 13, 2025 SOLAR STORM SHUT DOWN! 11:24On March 13, 1989, a powerful solar storm caused a complete shutdown of the Hydro-Québec power grid, leaving millions without electricity. The storm’s intense geomagnetic activity triggered a chain reaction, knocking out seven static compensators and leading to widespread outages across Quebec. After nine […]
FIRST MOBILE POWER PLANT!
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY February 28, 2025 FIRST MOBILE POWER PLANT! 11:22On February 28, 1963, the U.S. Army’s ML-1 mobile nuclear power plant reached full power. Developed in collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory, ML-1 was a pioneering prototype designed for relocation and off-grid energy generation. While it made history on September 21, 1962, as the […]