Edwin Drake
Edwin Drake (1819-1880): Drilling for Oil in America
Edwin Laurentine Drake is credited as the first American to drill for oil in the United States and is famous for pioneering a new method for extracting oil from the ground. Following a career in New York railroading, Drake and his family settled in Titusville, Pennsylvania. He purchased stock in the Seneca Oil Company and was hired by the company to investigate the oil seeps on their land. Drake decided to drill in the manner of the salt well drillers using metal pipe to prevent borehole collapse. He purchased a steam engine to drive a percussion drill bit into the ground. After a number of unsuccessful attempts, his well finally struck oil at the depth of 69.5 ft. His oil drilling method is still used today. Edwin Drake spent his final years in the Fountain Hill section of Bethlehem.