Petroleum Part 1 Quiz

Edwin Drake (1819–1880) successfully drilled the first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, marking the beginning of the modern petroleum industry.

Samuel M. Kier refined petroleum into lamp fuel in Pittsburgh during the 1840s, before Drake’s oil well.

Whale oil, used for lamps and lighting, was gradually replaced by petroleum-derived kerosene during the 19th century due to petroleum’s abundance and efficiency.

Kerosene was the first widely used product obtained from petroleum refining, primarily used for lamps and heating in the 19th century.

Titusville, Pennsylvania became the first U.S. oil boom town after Edwin Drake’s successful drilling in 1859, attracting investors and workers.

Rotary drilling, developed in the early 20th century, allowed for deeper, faster, and more efficient extraction of petroleum.

Gasoline gained widespread use as a fuel for internal combustion engines in the early 20th century, following the rise of automobiles and engine technology.

Standard Oil, founded by John D. Rockefeller, was the first major company to produce and distribute petroleum on a large global scale.

Catalytic cracking, developed in the early 20th century, allowed large-scale production of gasoline from crude oil, supporting automobile and military needs.

The discovery of oil in Masjed Soleyman, Iran, in 1908 marked the start of major Middle Eastern oil production with lasting geopolitical impact.