What did people use for energy before fossil fuel and electrical power energy was harnessed?

Question

Humans used muscle power and direct wind and water power.

Humans had only their own muscles and a knowledge of levers and pulleys for power.

Humans burned wood to power their machines.

They used whale oil and steam power to run machines.

Answer 1

Before the widespread use of fossil fuels and electrical power, humans relied on a variety of energy sources:

1. Muscle Power: Human and animal muscle power was the primary source of energy. People utilized their own strength and that of domesticated animals such as horses and oxen for transportation, agriculture, and manual labor.

2. Wind Power: Wind energy was harnessed through sails for boats and windmills for grinding grain or pumping water.

3. Water Power: Water mills were developed to utilize flowing water for milling grain, sawing wood, and other mechanical processes. This method was particularly effective in areas with rivers and streams.

4. Biomass: Wood was the most common biomass fuel, used for heating and cooking, and to some extent, for powering early industrial processes (like in steam engines).

5. Animal Power: In addition to human muscle, domesticated animals were used to plow fields, pull carts, and perform other labor-intensive tasks.

6. Whale Oil: Whale oil was used in lamps for lighting before the advent of kerosene and electricity.

7. Steam Power: The development of the steam engine in the 18th century marked a significant transition. Steam power was used to run machinery and vehicles, significantly boosting industrial productivity.

Overall, people utilized a combination of these sources depending on their environment and technological advancements at the time.