USA. 19th century. Oil well in the Oil-Creek Valley. Colored
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
USA. 19th century. Oil well in the Oil-Creek Valley. Colored
USA. 19th century. Oil well in the Oil-Creek Valley. Colored engraving. The Spanish and American Illustration, 1872
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Media ID 14324166
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
Bearing Drill Drilling Economy Industrialization Machinery Mining Petroleum Producing Revolution Worker Oil Creek
EDITORS COMMENTS
This colored engraving, titled 'Oil Well in the Oil-Creek Valley' from 'The Spanish and American Illustration' published in 1872, offers a glimpse into the nascent oil industry in the United States during the 19th century. The image portrays a bustling oil well site in the Oil-Creek Valley, with a towering oil derrick at its center. The drill, powered by a steam engine, is in the process of being raised, releasing plumes of smoke into the air. A bunkhouse, where workers would reside during their shifts, is visible in the background, along with various machines and machinery used in the drilling process. The oil industry revolutionized the American economy during this period, marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society. The discovery of petroleum in Oil Creek Valley, Pennsylvania, in 1859, sparked a frenzy of drilling activity and attracted a diverse workforce, including immigrants and African Americans, who came to seek employment in the burgeoning industry. The image also highlights the class divide that emerged during this period, with workers toiling away in the hot and dangerous conditions, while the engine room and control tower were manned by white supervisors. The oil industry's impact on American history was profound, leading to the rise of large corporations, increased urbanization, and the development of new technologies that transformed the way we live and work. This print is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the people who shaped America's industrial past.
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