This Week in Petroleum History: August 17 – 23
August 17, 1785 – “Bituminous Matter” reported at Oil Creek –
Two years after the end of the Revolutionary War, oil was reported floating on a creek in northwestern Pennsylvania. “Oil Creek has taken its name from an oil or bituminous matter being found floating on its surface,” noted a report by Gen. William Irvine, adding, “Many cures are attributed to this oil by the natives, and lately by some of the whites, particularly rheumatic pains and old ulcers.” (more…)
