ABSTRACT
The 19th century development of petroleum had proceeded at a comparatively languid pace compared to other technologies. In the late 19th century, their development paralleled each other with the electrical vehicle finally losing out in the early 20th century. The ease of recharging in the late 19th century and early 20th century was difficult at best in the cities and totally out of the question in rural areas. The development of the archetype gusher well outside of Beaumont, Texas required the convergence of geological theory and engineering technique. Beyond petroleum technology the impact of cheap oil on rail and industrial engineering was even more immediate and pronounced. Innovation in drilling technology allowed the development of the Spindletop field. Finds in California and Oklahoma made before 1920 eclipsed Spindletop as its production fell. Oil deposits were discovered in the 1900s and the lake became the site of the first offshore oil well in 1910.
