History of Energy Use

History of energy use

Energy is important for the survival of all living organisms which plays a vital role in shaping the human condition and civilization. Energy is essential for survival, so the production and consumption of energy are some of the most important activities of human life. Moreover, it is clear that the process of energy used and changing of daily needs create human to discover new energy during their civilization such that: energy=progress=civilization.

The energy and civilization are inextricably linked in the historical foundation such that humans have focused on controlling the energy stores and flows that are part of nature. Before the industrial revolution, our energy needs were modest and most cultures have paid close attention to the role that the sun plays in sustaining life on earth. Those early astronomers, historians, architects, farmers, and religious leaders who precisely understood the annual movement of the sun were better prepared to predict the seasonal weather changes, know when to plant and harvest crops, and how to orient their houses to gather sunlight in the winter. In ancient civilization, human relied on the sun and burned wood, straw, and dried dung for extra energy demand. For transportation, the muscle of horses and the power of the wind were in use and the other energy tools which were used to hunt animals, harvest edible plants, catch fish and fowl. As the human population increased over time, so did humanity's dependence on fire. This increase in population led to severe shortages of wood in some areas of the world. Later, in place of trees, they began to use fossil fuel such as coal, oil, and gas as energy.

Age of Water Power

Before the modern era, people used their own muscles, muscles of domesticated animals, such as horses, donkeys and oxen, and based on water and wind for power generation. People used these energy resources to develop landscapes, from agricultural fields and grazing land to mining...