Helion
A fusion-energy company building pulsed fusion machines designed to recover electricity directly from the plasma — aiming to put the power source of the stars on the American grid.
Founded2013
HeadquartersEverett, WA
IndustryFusion Energy
Helion's Everett, Washington facility · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Founders
David Kirtley, John Slough, Chris Pihl and George Votroubek
Founded 2013
Landmark Achievements
- Built seven fusion prototypes, including Polaris — the first machine intended to demonstrate electricity from fusion.
- Signed the world's first fusion power purchase agreement, committing 50 megawatts to Microsoft.
- Pioneered a direct energy-recovery approach that skips the steam turbine entirely.
Helion's place in the story
Continue through the chronicle — the builders of American technology, in founding order.