Coal was discovered for the first time in America in what is now the state Illinois. It was discovered in 1673 by European explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette. The site was named "Charbon de terra" (translated: coal of earth), and was located near the town of Utica. The same qualities in the coal that are sought after today were prized then, such as a lack of impurities like sulfur and slate. The coal was mainly used for cooking and blacksmithing.

Although the use of coal wasn’t that widespread in the 17^th century, its demand began to pick up first in the 1740s industrially in Virginia, and then during the revolutionary war, where it was used to manufacture shot, shell, and other war material. During the 19^th century it developed into a major economic factor in Illinois and in other states. Its use only grew due to the industrial revolution. Today, over half of the world’s coal is from America.

*Picture from Encarta Encyclopedia

History of Coal Use, The. (August 15, 2003). U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved January 5, 2004, from: http://www.fe.doe.gov/education/energylessons/coal/coal_history.html

• This article provided a good summary of the history of coal use. I used this article mainly for my second paragraph where I discuss where the discovery of coal took America.

Rhine, John E. Rhine, Ergest, and Vargo Website. Retrieved January 5, 2004, from: http://www.rhinelaw.com/press_a_past.html

• This article discussing old laws concerning coal mining. As an introduction it goes in depth on the discovery of coal in Illinois, and its immediate effects.

Voltage: The Energy Chaser’s Newsletter. (January 1999). Retrieved January 5, 2004, from: http://www.exelonenergy.com/kids/newsletter/archive/
newsletter199.htm

• This is a children’s publication that has a good summary of the initial discovery of coal and its future ramifications in the future of the United States. I used this article mainly in my first paragraph.