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1. What was known about oil before the mid-nineteenth century? Why wasn't it used more?

Oil was not unfamiliar before the mid-19th century. The Arabs had learned to refine oil before this time period and had transmitted this knowledge to other areas of the world. What people didn't have was an economical way to harvest the oil.

2. Who found an economical way to get oil? Where did he get the information from? What happened after he discovered this?

"Colonel" Edwin Drake used techniques that the Chinese used to drill for salt in order to get the oil. He did this in 1830 in Pennsylvania. After his discovery, refineries sprung up and in the United States, production grew faster than consumption, causing prices to fall.

3. How was Standard Oil formed? Who was involved in this venture?

John D. Rockefeller bought out his partner in a refinery. He spent some time perfecting his process and learning everything he could about the process. In 1867, he joined with Henry Flagler to form Standard Oil. It was a joint stock company that sought to consolidate refineries. By 1879, Standard Oil held about 90 percent of refining capacity in the United States.

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