1898 - Energy

Energy

Union Carbide Company is founded by Chicago entrepreneurs to manufacture calcium carbide for producing acetylene gas for streetlights and home lighting, which still depends largely on coal gas and kerosene (see 1892; 1906).

Wyoming coal mines produce nearly 2.9 million tons, 283,713 tons from last year. The state will grow to be the largest U.S. source of coal, yielding more than West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania combined.