This volume presents the state of the art of historical research into the topic of energy and provides the reader with a look at the newest trends. The modern understanding of the question of energy resources was shaped by the oil crisis of 1973 and the subsequent economic developments in the 1980s. The focus of this volume lies on how our perception, creation and use of energy have changed over the last decades. Based on case studies, the authors reveal the historical background of this area of research, analyze the most important participants and show how very differently the various actors and institutions involved dealt with the political and social ramifications of these developments.