Fossil fuels are thought of as cornerstones of our modern age.

They generate our electricity, heat our homes, fuel our cars, even form plastics from which many of our modern conveniences are made. Despite this, fossil fuels have played a key role for hundreds of years of our history, driving our transition from a primitive and pre-industrial society to one capable of both encircling this world and reaching beyond. Fossil fuel history begins nearly three centuries ago. At that time, people relied less on machines, instead using manual labor performed by humans or animals. Wood and animal fats were common fuels, used primarily for cooking and heating. Fossil fuel use began to rise in the late 18th century. The introduction of the steam engine gave rise to faster shipping both by sea and by the quickly-expanding railroad network, and our use of manual labor began to be replaced by coal-driven engines. In addition to increased shipping, the steam engine began to mechanize industries once driven by manual labor. The textile industry, for instance, received a major boost from the introduction of the steam engine, as coal-driven machines could perform tasks much more safely and efficiently than had previously been done by hand. Steam technology was rapidly advancing, and estimates place the steam engine of 1900 as being 30 times as powerful as that of 1800. Carriages were being replaced by steam-powered cars on the streets of London. It was at this time that the use of oil began to steadily increase. Oil and natural gas could be transported via pipes, a factor which contributed to its sudden appearance. Early versions of oil-driven combustion engines were also being produced, and while the use of coal would continue, oil and natural gas would soon become the new shining stars of the fossil fuel landscape. This trend would continue for many decades to come. Slowly, our reliance on animals and manual labor would be replaced, first by combustion engines, then by engines in combination with electricity. Our dependence upon fossil fuels continued to grow until they came to form the bedrock of our very way of life. Not only are they used as fuels, but petroleum products are now essential in many manufacturing processes, and serve numerous functions far beyond those to which they were put a hundred years ago. It was only in recent years that the environmental effect of burning fossil fuels became first an issue of academic debate and, ultimately, one worthy of concern and requiring action. As our use of fossil fuels has increased, so has its environmental impact. Similarly, the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels has sparked concerns as to how the world will react when laws of supply and demand render these essential components of modern life more scarce. Such issues are prompting another shift similar to the one away from manual labor, a shift to alternative sources of clean and renewable energy. Despite these concerns, there are many obstacles preventing such a change, and our reliance on fossil fuels will continue in some form for many years to come. The first major use of fossil fuels began during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. However, it took until the beginning of the 20th century for coal to replace wood as the dominant source of fuel for the new industrial economy.

Coal took over because it became much easier and cheaper to mine, and it was a better source of energy than wood. Within ten years, oil and natural gas replaced coal. These fossil fuels are cleaner than coal, and easier to transport. Also, oil can be used when liquid fuel is needed.