The Early Development of Natural Gas
Around 1785, Britain was the first country to commercialize the use of natural gas. The natural gas produced from coal was used to light houses, as well as streetlights.
In 1816, Manufactured natural gas of this type (as opposed to naturally occurring gas) was first brought to
the United State, when it was used to light the street of Baltimore, Maryland.
the United State, when it was used to light the street of Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1821, the first well specifically intended to obtain natural gas was dug in Fredonia, New York by
William Hart. After noticing gas bubbles rising to the surface of a creek, Hart dug a 27-foot well to try and obtain a larger flow of gas to the surface. Hart is regarded by many as the 'father of
natural gas' in America. Expanding on Hart's work, the Fredonia Gas Light Company was eventually
formed, becoming being the first American natural gas company.
William Hart. After noticing gas bubbles rising to the surface of a creek, Hart dug a 27-foot well to try and obtain a larger flow of gas to the surface. Hart is regarded by many as the 'father of
natural gas' in America. Expanding on Hart's work, the Fredonia Gas Light Company was eventually
formed, becoming being the first American natural gas company.
In 1859, Colonel Edwin Drake (a former railroad conductor who adopted the title 'Colonel' to impress
the townspeople) dug the first well in Lake Erie where regarded as the beginnings of American natural
gas industry . Drake refine the crude oil to lamp oil and drilled natural gas at 69.5 feet (21m) below the
surface of the earth.
the townspeople) dug the first well in Lake Erie where regarded as the beginnings of American natural
gas industry . Drake refine the crude oil to lamp oil and drilled natural gas at 69.5 feet (21m) below the
surface of the earth.
During most of the 19th century, natural gas was used almost exclusively as a source of light. Without
a pipeline infrastructure, it was difficult to transport the gas very far, or into homes to be used for
heating or cooking. Most of the natural gas produced in this era was manufactured from coal, as
opposed to transported from a well. Near the end of the 19th century, with the rise of electricity,
natural gas lights were converted to electric lights. This led producers of natural gas to look for new
uses for their product.
a pipeline infrastructure, it was difficult to transport the gas very far, or into homes to be used for
heating or cooking. Most of the natural gas produced in this era was manufactured from coal, as
opposed to transported from a well. Near the end of the 19th century, with the rise of electricity,
natural gas lights were converted to electric lights. This led producers of natural gas to look for new
uses for their product.
In 1885, Robert Bunsen invented what is now known as the Bunsen burner. He managed to create
a device that mixed natural gas with air in the right proportions, creating a flame that could be safely
used for cooking and heating. The invention of the Bunsen burner opened up new opportunities for
the use of natural gas in America, and throughout the world. The invention of temperature-regulating
thermostatic devices allowed for better use of the heating potential of natural gas, allowing the
temperature of the flame to be adjusted and monitored.
a device that mixed natural gas with air in the right proportions, creating a flame that could be safely
used for cooking and heating. The invention of the Bunsen burner opened up new opportunities for
the use of natural gas in America, and throughout the world. The invention of temperature-regulating
thermostatic devices allowed for better use of the heating potential of natural gas, allowing the
temperature of the flame to be adjusted and monitored.
In 1891, One of the first lengthy pipelines was constructed. This pipeline was 120 miles long, and
carried natural gas from wells in central Indiana to the city of Chicago. However, this early pipeline
was very rudimentary, and was not very efficient at transporting natural gas. It wasn't until the 1920s
that any significant effort was put into building a pipeline infrastructure. After World War II, welding
techniques, pipe rolling, and metallurgical advances allowed for the construction of reliable pipelines.
This post-war pipeline construction boom lasted well into the ‘60s, and allowed for the construction
of thousands of miles of pipeline in America.
carried natural gas from wells in central Indiana to the city of Chicago. However, this early pipeline
was very rudimentary, and was not very efficient at transporting natural gas. It wasn't until the 1920s
that any significant effort was put into building a pipeline infrastructure. After World War II, welding
techniques, pipe rolling, and metallurgical advances allowed for the construction of reliable pipelines.
This post-war pipeline construction boom lasted well into the ‘60s, and allowed for the construction
of thousands of miles of pipeline in America.
Once the transportation of natural gas was possible, new uses for natural gas were discovered.
These included using natural gas to heat homes and operate appliances such as water heaters and
oven ranges. Industry began to use natural gas in manufacturing and processing plants. Also, natural
gas was used to heat boilers used to generate electricity. The transportation infrastructure had made
natural gas easy to obtain, and it was becoming an increasingly popular form of energy.
These included using natural gas to heat homes and operate appliances such as water heaters and
oven ranges. Industry began to use natural gas in manufacturing and processing plants. Also, natural
gas was used to heat boilers used to generate electricity. The transportation infrastructure had made
natural gas easy to obtain, and it was becoming an increasingly popular form of energy.
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