by Bruce Wells | Feb 2, 2026 | This Week in Petroleum History
February 2, 1923 – First Anti-Knock Gas goes on Sale –
The world’s first anti-knock gasoline containing a tetra-ethyl lead compound went on sale at the Refiners Oil Company service station in Dayton, Ohio. Discovered two years earlier by General Motors scientists, “Ethyl” vastly improved engine performance. The company initially provided service stations with bolt-on adapters called “Ethylizers” to meter the proper proportion of the new additive. (more…)
by Bruce Wells | Nov 10, 2025 | This Week in Petroleum History
November 10, 1854 – Oil Seeps inspire First American Oil Well –
America’s petroleum industry began when a lumber company sold 105 acres along a northwestern Pennsylvania creek known for having natural oil seeps. New Hampshire entrepreneur George Bissell (1821-1884) bought the land from Brewer, Watson & Company because of his growing interest in “Rock Oil.” (more…)
by Bruce Wells | Aug 25, 2025 | This Week in Petroleum History
August 26, 1926 – The Texas Company expands –
After years of growth thanks to discoveries at Spindletop and Sour Lake, the Texas Corporation was incorporated, acquiring all of the outstanding stock of the Texas Company, which was dissolved the next year. (more…)
