First Commercial Oil Well
Unverified
Date
August 27, 1859
Type
National
Author
htristian82
Location
Pennsylvania,
United States
Categories
Science & Technology
Economic & Business
Event Details
On August 27, 1859, Edwin Drake struck oil at a depth of 69 feet in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This was the first commercially successful oil well drilled for that purpose.
It launched the modern petroleum industry, fundamentally changing global energy consumption and the economy.