History


What Were the Early
Uses of Oil?


It is interesting that people for nearly 5,000 years have found many uses for the different forms of oil that they found.
  • The ancient Egyptians used petroleum to prepare their mummies for burial.
  • The knights during medieval times used oil to put a shine on their metal swords and shields.
  • Asphalt, which is a hardened form of oil, was used to seal seams and cracks in early ships.
  • Native Americans used oil in medicines and as an ointment for their skin.
  • Wagon wheels turned more easily after a thin coating of oil had been applied to the axle.
  • At the beginning of the twentieth century, a form of petroleum called kerosene was put in lamps to provide fuel for lighting.
  • It was also found that when oil was mixed with sand and gravel, it could be used to pave roads.


In 19th century America, whale oil was usually burned in lamps to provide light. As the 20th century approached, whales had become scarce causing the price of their oil to rise. People began looking for another source of fuel for light.

It was found that crude oil that had found its way to the surface could be refined into a product called kerosene. This kerosene could be used in place of whale oil for lighting. As the demand for the fuel increased and people saw that money could be made selling oil, drilling methods and equipment were developed. In 1859, Edwin Drake drilled America's first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Oil was struck at a depth of only 69 feet. This well produced about 30 barrels of oil a day. They needed a container for the oil so they developed an oil barrel. It held 42 gallons.

In the next few years, oil wells were drilled not only in Pennsylvania, but also Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana. Men flocked to these areas just like the gold rush in 1849 in California. In fact, oil became known as "black gold".

Most of the oil that was produced was refined into kerosene. Gasoline was also produced in small quantities. It was not good for lighting fuel because it was explosive. Since no use at that time was found for gasoline, most of it was dumped into nearby lakes and streams.

Then in the 1890's, oil was accidentally found in Corsicana, Texas. While drilling for water, oil came bubbling up in their pipes. Drillers quickly capped the wells, and began drilling somewhere else for water. They did not know until a few days later what they had found.

Everyone was talking about this new type of fuel. The thrill of discovering oil caught the attention of many people. The quest for oil for some led to great riches. It created new jobs, new towns, new places, and incredible inventions. Excitement was everywhere at the turn of the new century.

Southeast Texas was the next super site for the discovery of oil. Little did people know that the boom that shook the world was about to occur on Spindletop Hill in Beaumont, Texas.





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