Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1916 — THE HISTORY OF GASOLINE [ARTICLE]

THE HISTORY OF GASOLINE

At One Time It Was Infant Terror of the Oil Industry. Gasoline first compelled public attention in the role of the little demon in the kerosene or coal oil lamp. In this capacity it kept the corpner and the insurance adjuster working overtime. When crude oil was first discovered in the Pennsylvania district the public received it as a cure-all for diseases instead of fuel or an illuniinant. Then it was discovered that by subjecting it to distillation a certain portion of it could be used for lighting purposes, to supplant candles and lamps, using whale oil and vegetable oils. But it was found that a considerable fraction—about 20 per cent—of this oil had so low a boiling point, was so volatile and explosive, that it was extremely dangerous in lamps. At the sign of the coal oil lamp of that pioneer period fires and explosions were the prevailing program.

It was soon seen by the refiners that, if kerosene was to become a popular illuminanf, the “light boiling point fraction” must be taken off the top and disposed of in some other way. For a considerable time it was turned into the nearest streams and allowed to dispose of itself by evaporation; but experience proved that this was a decidedly dangerous method of disposal. The refiners were forced to recognize the fact that in some way they must find a legitimate commercial outlet for this volatile fluid, which was so explosive that it could not be dump-* ed without great peril to life and property. Under the pressure of this economic necessity, about 1875, a man named Hull; who was in touch with The Cleveland refineries, invented a vapor stove, which was the father of the gasoline stove of today. For a time this furnisjhed a very considerable outlet. A .considerable quantity of gasoline was also consumed at this period in street lamps and out-of-doors lighting systems. About 1 903 the motor car, with its internal combustion engine, appeared on the scene—-just in time to

rescue gasoline consumption from a decided setback, due to the fact that gas had come into general use for lighting and 1 heating purposes and was able, on account of its greater cheapness and safety, to push gasoline out of competition to a great extent. Gasoline has, in short, pushed King Kerosene from the throne. The outcast, the infant terror of the oil industry, has now become the czar of the whole empire of petroleum commerce, and there are few who do not pause at the sign of the garage pump to pay him tribute.—Seattle Post-Intelligencer.