The use of coal for energy dates back thousands of years. In the early 1800s, coal was used to power the first steam engines, which led to the development of the railway system. During the Industrial Revolution, coal was used to power factories, leading to increased production of goods. Today, coal is still used as a major source of energy, especially in developing countries.
Categories: Fossil Fuel, Energy Source, History.
One of the most famous stories from the history of coal is the story of the first coal-powered steam locomotive. In 1804, Richard Trevithick built the first locomotive that used coal as its fuel source. The locomotive was used to haul iron ore from the Pen-y-Darren ironworks in Wales to the nearby Merthyr Tydfil. This was the first successful use of coal to power a locomotive, and it marked the beginning of the railway revolution.