A very brief history of hydrogen and advanced transportation technology

1671 - Boyle publishes paper pertaining to "flammable air" that is created when metals were exposed to acids.

1766 - Hydrogen was isolated and studied thoroughly by Henry Cavendish.

1780's - Antoine Lavoisier split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, and recombined the them to make water again.

1839 - Sir William Grove develops the first fuel cell, by reversing the process of electrolysis

Drawing of Grove's original fuel cell. Four have been put in series to increase the voltage. The load is a cup of water being electrolyzed.

1937 - Hindenburg, which was filled with hydrogen, burns while landing.

1960's - Fuel cells provide electrical power for Gemini and Apollo space programs.

1980's - Automotive companies began testing fuel cell technology for cars.

1999 - First production hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, become available in the United States.

2003 - Honda releases first production fuel cell car for Los Angeles.

Honda's new FCX runs on a compressed hydrogen.