This Week in Petroleum History, January 13 – 19

by | Jan 13, 2025 | This Week in Petroleum History

January 14, 1928 – Dr. Seuss begins illustrating Standard Oil Ads –

New York City’s Judge magazine published its first cartoon drawn by Theodor Seuss Geisel — who would develop his skills as “Dr. Seuss” while working for the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey.

January petroleum history Dr. Seuss first ad for Flit bug spray

Theodore Geisel’s 1928 magazine cartoon featured Standard Oil’s widely popular bug spray Flit.

In the 1928 cartoon that launched his professional career as an advertising illustrator, Geisel drew a peculiar dragon trying to dodge Flit, a popular bug spray of the day. “Quick, Henry, the Flit!” soon became a catchphrase nationwide. Flit was one of Standard Oil of New Jersey’s many consumer products derived from petroleum. (more…)

ROV – Swimming Socket Wrench

by | Jan 12, 2025 | Offshore History

Atomic Energy Commission robot inspired offshore petroleum industry’s remotely operated vehicles.

 

Shell Oil and the Hughes Aircraft in 1960 began modifying an advanced but landlocked “Manipulator Operated Robot” — soon known as Mobot — into one that could operate underwater. The result would lead to revolutionary offshore swimming machines for petroleum exploration and production. 

 

Much of the 21st-century’s offshore oil and natural gas industry has relied on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that can trace their roots back to Howard Hughes, Jr. In the late 1950s, Hughes Aircraft created a Manipulator Operated Robot – Mobot – for the Atomic Energy Commission. (more…)

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