Gasoline

The First Oil Well Was Dug Just Before the Civil War

Edwin Drake dug the first oil well in 1859 and distilled the petroleum to produce kerosene for lighting. Drake had no use for the gasoline or other products, so he discarded them. It wasn't until 1892 with the invention of the automobile that gasoline was recognized as a valuable fuel. By 1920, there were 9 million vehicles on the road powered by gasoline, and service stations were popping up everywhere.

A Field of Dozens of Oil Wells Just Offshore, at Summerland, California (Santa Barbara County) in 1915

Higher Octane and Lead Levels

By the 1950s, cars were becoming bigger and faster. Octane levels increased and so did lead levels; lead was added to gasoline to improve engine performance.

Leaded Gasoline Was Taken Off the U.S. Market

Unleaded gasoline was introduced in the 1970s, when the health problems from lead became apparent. In the United States, leaded gasoline was completely phased out in the 1980s, but it is still being used in some parts of the world.

Read more about the history of environmental laws that affect gasoline.