|
|
Article: Kerosine Oil
- Article from:
- Dictionary of American History
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
KEROSINE OIL
KEROSINE OIL.
Americans knew something of petroleum deposits as early as 1700, but oil rarely entered commerce until 1849 when Samuel M. Kier of Pittsburgh began selling "Kier's Petroleum or Rock Oil, Celebrated for its Wonderful Curative Powers" on a large scale. Meanwhile, other men were taking steps destined to reveal the true value of the oil. James Young of Glasgow, Scotland, began distilling lubricating and illuminating oils from a petroleum spring in Derbyshire, England, in 1847. In Prince Edward Island, Canada, Abram Gessner distilled kerosine from local coal as early as 1846. He patented his process in the United States and sold his rights to the North American ...