What does history tell us about energy transitions? What do energy transitions tell us about the history of colonialism? This volume of RCC Perspectives presents five histories of colonial projects that transformed potential energy sources in Africa, Europe, North America, and Greenland into mechanical energy for wealth production. Social aspects are often left out of discussions on energy transitions, which are often dominated by economic, engineering, or science narratives. These essays provide a starting point for a larger conversation not only about colonialism or history, but also energy humanities.