Here is a brief history of hydrogen:

1766~The English chemist and physicist, Henry Cavendish, is the first person to officially recognize hydrogen gas as a distinct substance. In addition, he described the composition of water as the combination of hydrogen and oxygen.

Early 1800's to the mid 1900's~Town gas, a gassy product manufactured from coal, supplies lighting and heating for America and Europe. Town gas is made of 50% hydrogen, and the rest is compromised of mainly methane and carbon dioxide, with 3% to 6% carbon monoxide. Town gas s is thought to be a wonder, bringing light and heat to the civilized world. Then, large natural gas fields were discovered, and networks of natural gas pipelines replaced town gas. Town gas is still found in limited use in Europe and Asia.

1911~The chemist, Carl Bosch, directed the development for ammonia and fertilizer to be manufactured from hydrogen and nitrogen gasses. This innovation eventually led to synthetic fertilizers, making it possible for agriculture to feed a rapidly increasing world population.

1937~After many years of safe and elegant travel, the zeppelin Hindenburg was ignited by electrical discharge after landing in Lakehurst New Jersey.

1959~Francis Bacon, engineer and descendent of the famous scientist, produced a 5-kW fuel cell system. Later that year Harry Karl Ihrig demonstrated the first fuel cell-powered vehicle, a 20-horsepowered tractor. 20th Century- Hydrogen is used extensively as a key component in the manufacture of ammonia, methanol, gasoline, and heating oil. It is also used to make fertilizers, glass, refined metals, vitamins, cosmetics, semiconductor circuits, soaps, lubricants, cleaners, margarine, peanut butter and rocket fuel.

1959 to Today~NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was formed this year, continuing the work by the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) and several other universities and businesses on using hydrogen as a rocket fuel and electricity source via fuel cells. NASA became the worldwide largest user of liquid hydrogen, and is renowned for its safe handling of hydrogen. In the late 20th Century/Dawn of the 21st Century, many industries worldwide began producing hydrogen, hydrogen-powered vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and other hydrogen products. From Japan's hydrogen delivery trucks to BMW's liquid hydrogen passenger cars, to Ballard's fuel cell transit buses in Chicago and Vancouver, BC to even Palm Desert's Renewable Transportation Project. To Iceland's commitment to be the first hydrogen economy by 2030, to the forward thinking work of many hydrogen organizations worldwide, and the dynamic progress in Germany, Europe, Japan, Canada, the U.S., Australia, Iceland, and several other countries helping to launch hydrogen into the main stage of the world's energy scene.