First Commercial Oil Well
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History: North American Series
- Categories: Science, Technology, Inventions, Economics, Environmental Issues
- Subcategories: Business, Earth Sciences, Industrial Revolution, Industrialization, Energy, Fuel, Power Sources
- Curriculum: American Civil War & Reconstruction Era (1856-1877)
- Geographical Location: Pennsylvania
- Date: August 27, 1859
Article abstract: The Drake well proves that petroleum can be the basis of a national industry.
Summary of Event
On Sunday afternoon, August 27, 1859, William A. “Uncle Billy” Smith discovered oil in a well that he was drilling for “Colonel” Edwin L. Drake on Oil Creek near Titusville, Pennsylvania. Drake’s well was neither the first oil well nor the first drilled well. However, it ignited an “oil boom,” raising Pennsylvania production from about 2,000 barrels in 1859 to about 500,000 barrels in 1865. Thereafter, U.S. production quickly...
[The entire page is 1348 words long]
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