Petroleum Industry Collection

John D Rockefeller, American industrialist, late 19th century (1956). Rockefeller (1839-1937) made his fortune in the petroleum industry

Railway Station at the Franklin Petroleum Oil Works, Pennsylvania, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Railway Station at the Franklin Petroleum Oil Works, Pennsylvania, 1864. 'The casks or barrels of crude oil are conveyed from the Franklin and Titusville stations by the Atlantic

The Petroleum Oil Works at Franklin, Pennsylvania, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The Petroleum Oil Works at Franklin, Pennsylvania, 1864. In 1859. 'The apparatus to be seen at Oil Creek is of a simple description

De-waxing plant at Mid-Continent refinery, Tulsa, Okla. (1943?). Creator: John Vachon
De-waxing plant at Mid-Continent refinery, Tulsa, Okla

Employees at Mid-Continent Refinery, Tulsa, Okla. (1943?). Creator: John Vachon
Employees at Mid-Continent Refinery, Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Blowing-up of a Petroleum ship at Calais, 1888. Creator: Charles William Wyllie
The Blowing-up of a Petroleum ship at Calais, 1888. From, The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 38. July to December, 1888

Shell oil & Shell petrol, 1925. Creator: D Ylen, Jean (1886-1938)
Shell oil & Shell petrol, 1925. Private Collection

Stop! for Shell motor oil at the Red Cabinet, 1926. Creator: D Ylen, Jean (1886-1938)
Stop! for Shell motor oil at the Red Cabinet, 1926. Private Collection

Shell Olio & Benzina, 1927. Creator: D Ylen, Jean (1886-1938)
Shell Olio & Benzina, 1927. Private Collection

Shell oil & Shell petrol, 1930. Creator: D Ylen, Jean (1886-1938)
Shell oil & Shell petrol, 1930. Private Collection

Oil wells, Moreni, Romania (b / w photo)
821499 Oil wells, Moreni, Romania (b/w photo) by Romanian School (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oil wells, Moreni, Romania.); Look and Learn / Elgar Collection

The Petroleum Wells of Baku, on the Caspian Sea (engraving)
1061400 The Petroleum Wells of Baku, on the Caspian Sea (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Petroleum Wells of Baku, on the Caspian Sea)

Oil wells, Baicoi, Romania (coloured photo)
821500 Oil wells, Baicoi, Romania (coloured photo) by Romanian School (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oil wells, Baicoi, Romania.); Look and Learn / Elgar Collection

Yenan-Young Oil Wells, 1900. Creator: Unknown
Yenan-Young Oil Wells, 1900. The dominant industry in the area is petroleum. From " Typical Photographs of Burma - Burmese Life and Scenes". [Rowe & Co. Ltd. Rangoon, 1900]

Baku (agitation panel), 1927. Creator: Vogeler, Heinrich (1872-1942)
Baku (agitation panel), 1927. Found in the Collection of Staatliche Museen, Berlin

EH Harriman, American railway executive, 1901. Edward Henry Harriman (1848-1909) became President of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1901

John D Rockefeller, American tycoon and philanthropist, in his later years, 20th century. Rockefeller (1839-1937) made his fortune in the petroleum industry

American tycoon John D Rockefeller and his wife arriving at Cleveland, Ohio, 1912 (1951). Rockefeller (1839-1937) made his fortune in the petroleum industry

Oil wells at Baku on the Caspian Sea, Russia, c1890. Artist: Dmitri Ivanovich Yermakov
Oil wells at Baku on the Caspian Sea, Russia, c1890. By the beginning of the 20th century, the area around Baku, in modern Azerbaijan, was producing almost half the worlds oil

Oil extraction in Baku, Russia, c1903-c1906. By the beginning of the 20th century, the area around Baku, in modern Azerbaijan, was producing almost half the worlds oil

New housing being built at neftyanye kamni (oil rocks), an oil workers settlement on the caspian sea in azerbaijan, ussr, june 1953

Housing built at neftyanye kamni (oil rocks), an oil workers settlement on the caspian sea in azerbaijan, ussr, february 1969, a park for the workers is in the foreground

Oil workers housing built at neftyanye kamni (oil rocks) on the caspian sea in azerbaijan, ussr, 1950s

Petroleum plant, Amazonian Ecuador C016 / 7736
Petroleum plant. View of the exterior of a Repsol petroleum production station in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Petroleum plant, Amazonian Ecuador C016 / 7737
Petroleum plant. View of the exterior of a Repsol petroleum production station in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Oil rig undergoing maintenance C014 / 5004
Oil rig undergoing maintenance whilst in harbour. Photographed in Table Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Amazon oil well, Ecuador C016 / 7774
Amazon oil well. Workover rig on an oil well platform in the Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Ludvig Nobel, Swedish industrialist
Ludvig Immanuel Nobel (1831-1888), Swedish industrialist. Nobel, with his brother Robert, operated extensive oil interests in Baku in what is now Azerbaijan

Marine fuel analysis. Industrial researcher carrying out a calibration test on a hydrogen sulphide (H2S) analysis machine (vapour phase processor, VPP)

Oil exploration C013 / 5355
Oil exploration. Geologists standing by an exploratory oil well. Photographed in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

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The petroleum industry has a rich and fascinating history that spans over centuries, revolutionizing the world as we know it. At the forefront of this transformative industry was John D. Rockefeller, an American industrialist whose name became synonymous with oil during the late 19th century. In 1956, Rockefeller's legacy in the petroleum industry still loomed large, serving as a testament to his immense influence and success. Meanwhile, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a de-waxing plant at Mid-Continent refinery stood as a symbol of technological advancements in oil processing during World War II. Captured by photographer John Vachon in 1943, this image showcases the intricate machinery that played a crucial role in refining petroleum. Vachon also captured another glimpse into life at Mid-Continent Refinery during the same year - employees working diligently amidst towering structures and pipelines. This snapshot serves as a reminder of the countless individuals who dedicated their lives to fueling progress within this dynamic industry. However, not all moments captured were ones of productivity or advancement. In Charles William Wyllie's haunting depiction from 1888, we witness an explosive event - the blowing-up of a petroleum ship at Calais. This tragic incident reminds us of both the risks associated with transporting such volatile substances and how safety measures have evolved over time. Moving forward through history brings us to iconic advertisements for Shell oil and petrol created by Jean D Ylen between 1925 and 1930. These vibrant images reflect society's growing reliance on automobiles and highlight Shell's prominent role in providing essential lubricants for these vehicles. Traveling across continents reveals diverse landscapes dotted with oil wells; from Moreni in Romania to Baku on the Caspian Sea - each location representing different chapters within this global industry's narrative. The black-and-white photograph captures Romanian workers tending to their wells while an engraving depicts Baku's vast array of petroleum extraction sites.