History of Fuel PDF
History of Fuel PDF
History of Fuel PDF
2 mya
3,500 BC
2,500 BC
First known use of fuel by our ancestors Homo Erectus, using sticks and wood to
make fire
First definite evidence of mans involvement with charcoal as a
fuel, found in Southern Europe and the Middle East.
Charcoal is a carbon compound that remains after wood or animal
products have been burnt in the absence of oxygen (eg: a kiln)
First definite evidence of coal burning in China. Coal was used for
cooking and heating
Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock, essentially it is a mineral of
fossilised carbon. This can be made from pressurised organic matter (like
plants and animals)
2,000 BC
1 AD
200 AD
1000 AD
16001700s
Mid
1700s
1820s
1830s
1850s
1860
1880s1890s
1892
1950
1980s
2000s
Global oil production peaks at 70 billion barrels a day in 2006 and is expected to drop
sharply in coming decades
As energy producers employ increasingly complicated methods to tap difficult-to-reach fossil
fuel reserves, politicians and the public debate how to deal with climate change, and
increasing energy consumption by fast-developing nations like China and India threatens to
create future shortages.
RENEWABLE ENERGIES
Since were running out of fossil fuels, and can see the destructive nature of using
these sources, theres been an increase in efforts to develop and use alternative
energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal energy.
Renewable energies have a minimum impact on the environment, and harness
natural forces which we have an infinite supply of.
However, due to economic factors many are reluctant to embrace these new
technologies. With more investment for research and development, these costs will
drop and we can utilise these sustainable energy sources
Sources:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/timeline-energy-history.htm , Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911).
"Fuel". Encyclopdia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press, International Energy Annual 2006. Energy Information
Administration. 2008. Archived from the original, Salway, Peter (2001). A History of Roman Britain. Oxford University
Press. ISBN 0-19-280138-4.