Energy in the past

Early humans used fire to provide heat to keep them warm, to cook food and to scare away wild animals. Wood was the main fuel used to make fire.

As humans began to explore, they realised the wind was a source of energy. They built boats with sails that captured energy from the wind, so they could travel to new places. People also learnt how to use the energy in wind and water to power mills to grind grain and to pump water.

It was much later that humans began to use coal, oil and gas as sources of energy.

In this section we look at how coal, gas and oil were formed and how the use of these fuels in the Industrial Revolution changed our lives.

Information sheets:
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Activities:
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