Coal has been around for centuries. Coal is a nonrenewable energy source because it takes millions of years to form. It is formed by the pressurization and decaying of rocks, dirt and plants. It was first used by the Chinese to aid in the process of smelting and creating metal tools. The Chinese’s methods eventually spread to Europe where they were modernized further and heavily used during the industrialization of the 1800s. Coal slowly replaced wood and became one of the leading energy resources in the world.
During both World Wars, coal was in constant demand. It was a necessity for creating metal and transportation. Although coal was heavily used in both world wars, the need for petroleum was rising due to the invention of the automobile in the early 1900s. By 1945, coal resources were exhausted from the wars.