From TAR PITS to SYNTHETICS: The Fascinating History of Motor Oil

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you so much for watching what is essentially my “love letter” to the industry and product that has done so much for me and my family. I love history, so thank you for coming along and sharing this walk through the history of my favorite petroleum product.

[@tractorhead04]

Thank you for visiting my neck of the woods! I guess living in the area all my life one would take advantage of the fact it all basically started here. Always enjoy your content.

[@themotoroilgeek]

@@tractorhead04 Thanks. The amount of history in the area is amazing.

[@coreymacqueen4802]

Dang… I wish I would’ve known you were up here!

[@SiikPros]

Hi, I love your videos. This one was really hard to follow along with, though. You had interesting facts but they moved far too quick on the screen that I found myself pausing and even restarting the video more than once.

[@colincambel8698]

The first crude well was drilled around oil Springs Ontario.

[@scottsouthwell4968]

I live in Warren, Pennsylvania, and my family has been an independent oil producer for over 100 years... We have sold our crude to Bradford refinery for the same amount of time and continue to do so today. great video and channel

[@themotoroilgeek]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@DogmaticAtheist]

That is so cool

[@Thedaleb1]

Glad you are still up and running I know who you voted for

[@dustinclark963]

That's cool as hell

[@pmacc3557]

I'd love to work on a rig

[@drill_baby_drill]

I'm a Petroleum Geologist working in Appalachia. Drilling oil wells today. I know where it came from and its not dinosaurs . The source rock here is hundreds of million of years older than the dinosaurs, whether it be the Marcellus or Utica Shales. In other basins, you age may vary. Love the channel.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for watching and for sharing the pro insight!

[@richcombs4805]

Greetings from a mechanical engineer near....Utica NY. Question is: if the Titus well was only in 69' deep, does that mean wells for drinking water were hard to find there?

[@6gatornation]

@@drill_baby_drill seen a oil executive talking about where all really comes from on KZbin 15 years ago we have been lied to about everything

[@bme7491]

It's all about the plants.

[@bme7491]

@@larrycollie5330 In China, it can be both sweet AND sour. 😆

[@truckladders4104]

Great video! Ive sold lubricants for 35 years This one of the best videos.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@gcaprice406]

Only Lake could/would tell the history of American motor oil like a love story lol. Bravo.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@indianacornbread6407]

Yes! Well done, Mr. Lake!

[@capriracer351]

I grew up in Franklin, which is right up the road from Oil City. The original Amalie Oil refinery was located there until it burned down in 1970. I have worked in Oil City for over 30 years. The company I work for is what is left of the United States Steel Oilwell Division. We no longer have any ties to the oil industry and are not a part of US Steel anymore either. We build and refurbish continuous caster steel mill equipment. The main parts of the continuous caster at the legendary US Steel Edgar Thompson Works in Braddock, outside of Pittsburgh, were designed and built at the facility I work at. A lot of great history in this area that most people not from around here don't know about.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@usocrazy6133]

You know its going to be a great day when a new video is posted from The Motor Oil GOAT!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@IronMike-f8i]

Many are BETTER THAN HIM. THEY MORE FACTS IN TEN MINUTES ,, THAN HE DOES IN A HOUR. He's boring 😴 😪 and goes on about little for endless 🙄 😴 😒 hours

[@OrlandoDSM_GST]

@@IronMike-f8ithen don’t watch?

[@IronMike-f8i]

@@OrlandoDSM_GST hes not and you're Not,, above criticism,, thats why I'm WATCHING 👀 👀 👁

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Excellent, thank you. I'm from Europe and roughly 60 years ago I was a young lad tasked with the oil changes on my father's car. We had heard of the special characteristics of motoroil based on Pennsylvania crude and we used only Valvoline oil. Back in those days I changed the oil roughly every 2000 miles. And my father was able to achieve very high mileage out of his cars, over 150.000 miles without major engine work. Which was quite high back then!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing

[@Adam-nv9zo]

Thank you for all the informative videos, Lake. I always appreciate a good science based oil video, and in my opinion, you do it best.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@jefffrayer8238]

And now folks finally it's, ,,,, " Drill Baby Drill. " Good times are coming. Great video, can't wait for more.

[@emmgeevideo]

Our host is clearly a man who has found his passion. Great video! Looking forward to seeing more.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Much appreciated!

[@TheRichardF10]

I’m from Long Beach, CA and it’s amazing how Signal Hill ties in with the oil history. Excellent video.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@budlanctot3060]

When I was young, there was a Signal gasoline. It's logo was a traffic signal. Are they related?

[@mikeries8549]

Signal hill is in Long Beach. Far from the refinery. Explain?

[@patndave4919]

Dad was a car dealer in the 50's, 60's and 70's. He mostly drove GM Iron. His favorite oil was Quaker State.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@speedfreak8200]

My older brother bought a brand new beautiful Olds (metallic green) 442 W30 family/drag car. C- Stock. He ran Valvoline Racing Oil 20/50 .... I run 🏃‍♀️ Rotella T6 in everything I own. Now back to the video.... thx Mr. Speed Demon !!

[@patndave4919]

@@speedfreak8200 That T6 must be some darn good oil. Hope the Oil Geek does a feature.

[@herbbot8241]

I'm a Valvoline fanboy love to see them mentioned in this. Great start of the series

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@bighorn9119]

Valvoline the best oil out there

[@kenheisler759]

I've enjoyed watching your father race in Winston Cup racing and I now enjoy watching your informative KZbin videos.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@pnz4aufsh]

Who was that? Too young to remember much Winston cup races

[@altec19]

⁠@@pnz4aufshLake Speed Sr

[@FastEvan47]

@@pnz4aufshLake Speed is the racer. The Motor Oil Geek is Lake Speed Jr. He also worked for Joe Gibbs!

[@BehindTheCounter_TFSO]

Lake, your videos are great-keep them coming! I always learn something new from your content, and your passion for the industry shines through. Can't wait to see what you share next!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@stevenroche9874]

Lake, you are providing amazing content for all the lubricant enthusiasts on KZbin !

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks! It is my pleasure to do so.

[@stevenroche9874]

@themotoroilgeek You are a very busy man with all of your undertakings. Thanks for making time for your KZbin channel. Best regards.

[@paul9156c]

Now I finally understand why my Dad would only ever use Valvoline. He was 100% Ford his whole life. He worked for a pump company in Long Beach, for oil well pumps. That's were I got the biggest ball bearing balls that got me kicked out of the marbles games at school. Thanks for helping me to recall some awesome family memories long gone by.

[@themotoroilgeek]

That's cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@Jimmysidecarr]

Lake, you really knocked it "outa da park" with this one. Absolutely fantastic stuff! Looking forward to your next one.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@vladimpaler9274]

I live right down the road from that "Welcome To Pennsylvania" sign 👍🏻 I've lived in Bradford for 50 years

[@themotoroilgeek]

Awesome!

[@stevecochran9078]

Home of Zippo. 😎

[@alwojtas3730]

Excellent presentation, I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Real information is the key to understanding.Thank you and keep it up !

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@thomasroberts8024]

Lived in Beaumont for 5 years and been to the Petroleum Museum and Spindleop. I got a private tour from a manager of the Mobil 1 packaging facility there. If you haven't been to that museum, try to get over there when you're doing the video on ExxonMobil. Engineering and geology on display! Lived in Baytown for 16 years about one mile from front gate of the big plant. When we retired to Sun City Georgetown, I thought I'd gone deaf. No constant background roar! My main connection to the petroleum community was all the oil changes at the dealer shops I managed! THANKS for this most excellant video and am super excited to see the rest of the series!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@scottwhitcher265]

There was a very good history of the Spindletop blowout in an oilfield magazine in 1981. I wish I could read it, again. It is amazing, the amount of changes that have happened in how we find, drill, produce, transport and use oil. I intend to visit the site.

[@themotoroilgeek]

@@scottwhitcher265 The museum at Spindletop is interesting.

[@Robo-hy8xu]

You learn something new, every day. Today, I learned a LOT

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@Jawst]

I learnt that Americans have dirty diesel pump handles 😂 perhaps people in the UK just clean the handles more

[@grandroofing1604]

My grandfather was a retired diesel mechanic and he always told me that Pennsylvania oil was the best his favorite was quaker state I am 52 years old

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kellymchenry4572]

I’m a semi truck mechanic who went to a technical school and been doing this for 11+ years. I love this. I’m definitely watching the whole series.

[@jcos55chev19]

Loved the history of oil. Looking forward to more. Nice job!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@RichadTheLionHeat]

Excellent, informative, well presented, helpful, clear, rich in history. Without a fought, outstanding! I have shared your video to family, friends, military colleagues, classic car friends! Thank you. Looking forward to your next film. Thank you.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@jonathanbrown7662]

"The prize" was required reading for my Oil and World Power course at Ohio University. Unbelievable book.

[@themotoroilgeek]

So cool! It is a great book.

[@minimanadam]

Your vids have taught me SOOOOO much about lubes/oils.. I can't believe some of the errors I was making , thinking I was helping my engines... Your a god send my man , your doing us all a HUGE favor.. thx again Lane.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@joeskibinski4153]

Brilliant! So glad I stumbled upon your channel! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@TVR-jc5uf]

Great video (again)!!! I love all of the site visits. Looking forward to the other installments of this series.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Glad you liked it!

[@jrpracing67]

I live 20 minutes from Drakes well. The amount of oil history in this area is crazy. Entire towns formed around oil at the time and unless you know where to look, it's all gone

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing. It is a bit surreal when you are there an consider the historical significance of what happened there.

[@upptowne]

When I was a kiddo my grandad used to tell me that Pennsylvania oil was the best. I didnt think he knew what he was talkin about. Thank you. Great first edition.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@pjb2476]

This whole channel is pure gold.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@guacre2675]

Black gold

[@trottermalone379]

Great video Lake! Can’t wait for the next in the series!!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@georgeburns7251]

This was a great episode. Thank you.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@SvnBchk]

Well done Lake! Very informative and kept my attention the whole video!!!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@zachdailyfost4433]

I was today years old before i connected the dots on quacker State, and Pennzoil, being from PA. Its really awesome learning about this and being a big part of American engineering and industry

[@themotoroilgeek]

I’m glad the video was helpful!

[@randymahoney3249]

Lake, This is your best work EVER! The location jumps from PA to TX to CA were awesome. As a junior-geek, I have also personally visited all three of those sites, and am still in awe of this amazing natural resource. GREAT JOB!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate it. This is my favorite video so far as well.

[@CedroCron]

Your channel is like crack for my brain. Love Geeking out on Motor-Oil stuff with your videos! Thanks for another great one.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@CedroCron]

@@themotoroilgeek No buddy, really Thank YOU!!

[@kevinmarshall184]

I remember the 70's as I worked in used car lots and gas stations when all of a sudden Quaker State oil was a no-no the bottom ounce or so in the CAN was white and usually meant water of some kind. For years and to this day many garage owners and hot rodders stay clear of Quaker State , It was later thought to be condensation that collected as it was packaged. I don't ever remember any garages promoting QS in New England. Sunoco, Valvoline, Wolfs Head and I think Amalie were the go. I think STP had an oil also.

[@adrianholliman2830]

Amazing channel and videos. Learning so much as we go along. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a scientific test of engine flushes/detergents and how they impact oil and the engine. Keep up the great work!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for kind words and the suggestion. I will put the engine flush additive test on the to do list.

[@davea4037]

Great video and thank you for sharing. I would love to see some of the retired refineries retrofitted and fired back up. Would be a win win all around.

[@joew8440]

Nice history lesson, I live in the area and learned things. Can’t wait to watch the series. Thanks

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@Nfscarbon07]

I love this channel! It's fascinating learning about engine oil! I love keeping my vehicles maintained and I take pride in how I maintain my vehicles, this channels actually taught me more than I expected!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@drewski23_7]

LOVE this channel & each video it puts out. Great to have someone so knowledgeable teach the science & facts behind everything!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@redlywaxer]

What an intetesting and informative video! Thanks Lake, and keep 'em comin!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@CreatingExcellence]

I love learning about the history of oil and lubricants! Thank you Lake.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@oml81mm]

It's shale oil I know, and not really pertinent to this video, but look up a gentleman known as James "paraffin" Young for another glimpse into the history.

[@jims2286]

I love all the info you have, Lake. It's been a mistory for years. Nobody really would know or give up the information on motor oils. everyone would believe the labels for limited information. Thank you Jim

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks! There's more to come!

[@ctapmgriley]

Very interesting video Lake! Can't wait for the next one!!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@MikeJohnson-g8f]

Thank you for this video! I found it very educational and will use this information in my automotive technology classroom. I am looking forward to your next one!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@larrycollie5330]

Using 42 gallon whiskey barrels no wonder it was called sweet crude, cant wait for the rest of the series. Thank you Lake for keeping us informed. Larry

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@tadroid3858]

My Dad grew up in Oil City and cleaned oil tanks in the summer while getting his chemical engineering degree from Penn State. I'll never forget the smell of that town when visiting the family on Stevens St.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ramblerdave1339]

When I was a young pump jockey, my boss told us to check the oil on every car that came in, because he said we (he) made more money on 1 quart of oil, than 30 gallons of gas.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for sharing!

[@tomaskey6844]

Definitely appreciate how your videos improve my understanding of oil. I’m trying to care for my stuff and advertising is the wrong source for how to do it best.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Happy to help!

[@davidjernigan8161]

Oil for steam driven equipment is hard to formulate as well since it has to deal with being able to lubricate in the presence of water if the seals aren't proper.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Great point!

[@rockslide4802]

Fascinating! Looking especially forward to learning about synthetic oil in your upcoming episodes.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@maximilianlindner]

I didn‘t even watch the video yet, but I know it’s going to be insanely interesting again 👌🏻👌🏻

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@pme166]

Enjoyable introduction to the history of my industry. I explore for oil and am proud to help lubricate and fuel modern life. Keep up the good work.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Same to you. Thanks for keeping this industry going!

[@donniceblakely1075]

It's a science for sure! I enjoyed watching sir.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks for watching!

[@Thedaleb1]

Absolutely fascinating I’m a castrol synthetic man every 5,000 miles in my 4Runner with 345,000 miles, and my 2019 Tundra with 66,000 miles. Thanks for posting

[@MsPhillip93]

Same here

[@MechanicalMercenary]

I asked about Kendall about a month ago during a live. I'm pretty stoked about this series

[@themotoroilgeek]

More to come!

[@altec19]

Thank you, Lake ! ! ! Such an awesome presentation ! We sure do appreciate you ! So looking forward to part two !

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@treyrags]

Great information. I grew up a few miles from the Ethyl plant. My father-in-law was an engineer there in the 60s 70s and 80s.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@peterhodgkins6985]

Thanks for an outstanding presentation of the history of motor oil! Kendall has been a favorite of mine for over 50 years, and I enjoyed hearing a little about it's history as well.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@justinvegan]

Starting a video mentioning Carl Sagan get's my attention! True patriot for science over myths. Great video.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@glenherbert7606]

Always love how informative your videos are.

[@themotoroilgeek]

I appreciate that!

[@wwilliams1358]

The only channel where you'll learn about Oil History! Interesting to know the barrels back then was 42 gal, I wonder if they were Oak! Great info, very interesting to see how it all began. Need to have some of that 1,000 mile oil...not to mention, you gottah love the guys on the dyno wearing a coat and tie! Those were the days of Class! Looking forward to the next episodes of Oil History! Mahalo Lake!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@georgegeorgakopoulos5956]

Don't want to name it,but one of the brands you mentioned,if you used their 4T motor oil , you were struggling to get neutral at a stop with your motorbike, total crap.

[@justinfargas2367]

Amazing effort you put into your content. I can't wait for part 2. Thank you.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@krstoner53]

I was stoked hoping the Jed Clampett well might get mentioned 😂 Oh well, great video Lake!very interesting

[@themotoroilgeek]

LOL, thanks for watching!

[@flexjay87]

This is an awesome review of American Petroleum History. I look forward to part 2 !

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@Augermonster]

GREAT WORK LAKE. Looking forward to more

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@AllenReinecke]

We live in just 3 miles north of Titusville PA and love that you gave the town some much-needed advertising! Y'all come visit. ❤ They used to drill oil on our property. I have a large, old wooden barrel out in the woods. Now, we just have a mile-deep natural gas well. I hope Drake Well Museum incorporates your video in their display. Very interesting, as always!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@mikemc330]

Very interesting. Great content!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@mikemc330]

@ No. Thank you! Keep up the great work. I know it ain’t always easy.

[@wickertwm]

Great video Lake. I am looking forward to your next video.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@richardharker2775]

Fascinating information.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@mikewednesday8541]

Awesome video👍🏼looking forward to the series!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks! 👍

[@Sleeperdude]

Very interesting thanks for sharing

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@Discoworx]

I would never have believed someone could be so excited about motor oil. And it's a good thing.

[@ericbivins8014]

Back in the 1970's My uncle had an oil well on his land in Grayson Co. Ky. I used to have a small bottle of that crude oil. I can still smell it in my mind.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Awesome!

[@magnetocheck]

Love the channel and all the science I'm learning.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Glad to hear it!

[@WILDEBILL308]

Great video. When I visited the Drake well they had the steam engine running and were pumping oil from the first well. That was such a intersting and intense Vishal. I don't care if they pored oil back in at night . They were pumping oil from the first well.

[@themotoroilgeek]

I’ve heard about that.

[@FeatheredDino]

This man traveled, quite literally, to opposite ends of the country for this one singular video -- AND had planned a trip to Texas to continue this! Good work man! I have serious appreciation for the effort put into this video, and I seriously look forward to the next video on synyhetic base oils. Over the last few years I have gotten very into oil, and refuse to run anything that isn't Ester based. 😂

[@themotoroilgeek]

This was my love letter to the industry I really love and has been so good to me.

[@johnweaver8470]

That's some great old footage keep the videos coming

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@simonm7776]

I love enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable presenters ……of engaging videos. And you don’t better than Lake Speed Junior!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thank you!

[@univisiontech1]

This video is a special upload, thank you Lake

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks. This one was special for me as well.

[@rogerphillips1679]

Great video! I have to pay a visit to Bradford from my home in New York. A perfect road-trip for a petrol head.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Absolutely, then make the drive down to Titusville!

[@markc7551]

Looking forward to more in this series!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@abcdefggh76xhw]

This is fascinating! Perhaps it could’ve been a series?

[@themotoroilgeek]

There is more to come in the series.

[@abcdefggh76xhw]

Wonderful to hear. You’re a natural

[@blof7486]

Keep the information coming! I wanna see more amsoil testing to compare to pennzoil platinum

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks

[@Sunspot-19]

Lake, this makes me think of years been and gone... Passing by the old Union Carbide facility out in the Mojave desert. The aroma... Was like a small town's population all had eggs for breakfast and were cleaning their exhaust afterward!!!

[@stephenalbright6961]

Great content, love your videos

[@themotoroilgeek]

I appreciate that!

[@TimCoe-u8n]

Once again an awsome video Lake!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheKlamminator]

This video was awesome, thanks!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Glad you liked it!

[@duckboy9979]

That, I have to say was absolutely fascinating.

[@davevan8864]

GREAT STUFF Mr Speed!! I've said before Dad had one job after college....Valvoline Oil. So I may have more interest than some as I recall the days when Valvoline would do blind tests on their oil. This could be a must see for many people just to get the basics of something they ALL use everyday. Thanks!

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks. This was a fun video to make.

[@Ragnarok1979]

A great history lesson, and a great low key advertisement for Driven GP-1 😆

[@TechTalks685]

It’s always a good day when lakespeed jr posts

[@themotoroilgeek]

Thanks!

[@schuppdogg89]

Kinda nice seeing the town I live in featured in something for once. I know you mentioned Zippo because of the correlation between the lighter fluid and the petroleum industry but you could have shown Case Cutlery some love too. It would have been nice to tell the guys at work we got a shout out from the Motor Oil Geek. Pretty neat still.

[@gregfaris6959]

I think he meant to say “hallowed” ground, but since it’s a well, “hollowed” ground works just as well!

[@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261]

Almost exactly the comment I was going to make!😀

[@JumperSig]

I worked in the oil fields of the Permian Basin. I like the smell of an oil refinery. Oil and Gas is a beautiful thing.

[@themotoroilgeek]

Right on!