Did you know that we’ve been drilling for oil in the Middle East for 100 years? Well, it’s actually 100 years and a few days as the actual discovery was on May 26, 1908. But you get what I mean.
On that historic day, William D’Arcy found a gushing well of oil in Iran. After drilling for seven years, he was about to give up. But he decided to try one more place. As it turns out, the last place that he tried was a huge success. Little did he know the impact he was going to have on the future of the region, the United States and the world in general.
But his plans almost failed. Only six years after this momentous discovery, his company and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company almost closed up shop. They had everything they needed – the oil, a way to pump it out and a way to distribute it. But they didn’t have customers. The auto industry was still in its infancy at the time and oil just wasn’t in demand like it is today. But World War I and Winston Churchill changed that. Churchill saw the benefits of using oil to run his navy during the war. As a result, oil turned to “black gold” and soon became one of the most precious resources in the world.
Interesting little fact, eh?
Knowing this, you might have a new appreciation for oil and how it came to be popular in our culture and all over the world. Keep this in mind when you visit your local Pontiac dealer and the next time you’re at a party. Since gas prices are the main topic of conversation everywhere, this could be a great icebreaker when there’s a lull in the conversation.
