Math & science · 1847
Conservation of energy
Joule and Helmholtz show that heat, work and electricity are forms of one conserved quantity.
Joule measured the mechanical equivalent of heat, about 4.2 joules per calorie, and Helmholtz stated the general principle. Energy became the common currency of all physics.
What it built on 2
What it led to 1
Related measurements
The dashed line marks when it first worked.
Energy used per dollar of GDP Latest: 1.21 kWh per $ (2022) Source: Our World in Data
Energy use per person Latest: 20.3k kWh (2025) Source: Our World in Data