I did not know that solar panels have been around for more than a century.
I did not know that one of the early pioneers in this field was a Canadian inventor named George Cove.
And I did not know that Cove was on the brink of bringing solar power to the masses when he was kidnapped and threatened unless he closed down his company.
While researching the economics of clean energy innovation, I came across a little-known story: that of Canadian inventor George Cove, one of the world’s first renewable energy entrepreneurs. Cove invented household solar panels that looked uncannily similar to the ones being installed in homes today – they even had a rudimentary battery to keep power running when the Sun wasn’t shining. Except this wasn’t in the 1970s. Or even the 1950s. This was in 1905.
It sounds like that wasn’t the only reason Cove’s company collapsed, but whoever was behind the actions against him clearly had, shall we say, other interests at heart. Spare a thought for George Cove and other creators who were either ahead of their time or swept aside.
While we’re here, enjoy these images of early electric cars, milk trucks, and… baby carriages?
Shock of the old: the amazing, infuriating history of the electric car – in pictures
Believe it or not, battery-powered vehicles have been around since Victorian times – everything from private automobiles to taxis, ambulances and tricycles. We’ve got the photos to prove it.
History is a fascinating place, full of lessons for the future.
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J.R. Johnson 
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