John D. Rockefeller was an American industrialist and philanthropist. He is widely considered the wealthiest American of all time and the richest person in modern history. Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. His fortune was used to create many charitable institutions, including the University of Chicago and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Henry Ford was an American industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor Company. He developed and manufactured the first automobile that many middle-class Americans could afford. In doing so, Ford converted the automobile from an expensive curiosity into an accessible conveyance that profoundly impacted the landscape of the 20th century. His introduction of the Model T revolutionized transportation and American industry.
Ida Tarbell was an American writer, investigative journalist, biographer, and lecturer. She was one of the leading muckrakers of the progressive era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and pioneered investigative journalism. She is best known for her book "The History of the Standard Oil Company," which was published in 1904 and is still considered one of the greatest works of journalism in the 20th century.
Enrico Mattei was an Italian public administrator and entrepreneur. He was the founder and president of Eni, the Italian oil and gas company. Under his leadership, Eni grew to become one of the largest energy companies in the world. Mattei promoted energy independence for Italy and pursued aggressive deals with oil-producing countries, establishing strong relations with the Middle East and the Soviet Union.
George Bissell was an American entrepreneur who is often credited with starting the first commercial oil well. Known as the "father of the American oil industry," he recognized that oil could be used as an illuminant and lubricant. Bissell formed the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company and hired Edwin Drake to drill the first oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, which marked the beginning of the petroleum industry.
Edwin Drake was an American oil driller, popularly credited with being the first to drill for oil in the United States. In 1859, he struck oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania, an event that marked the birth of the commercial oil industry. Despite his pioneering role, Drake failed to patent his drilling method and died in relative obscurity and poverty. However, his contributions laid the groundwork for the oil industry as we know it today.
Marion King Hubbert was an American geologist and geophysicist who made significant contributions to geology and petroleum economics. He is best known for his theory of peak oil, which predicts that for any given geographical area, the rate of petroleum production follows a bell-shaped curve. Hubbert's predictions about U.S. oil production, which he made in the 1950s, were remarkably accurate and have influenced energy policies worldwide.
Christiane Berthelemot is a French engineer and executive known for her leadership in the oil and gas industry. She has held significant positions at major energy companies, including Total, where she has been instrumental in driving technological innovations and promoting sustainable energy practices. Berthelemot is recognized for her contributions to the development of cleaner energy solutions and her efforts to balance energy production with environmental stewardship.
Ali al-Naimi is a Saudi Arabian businessman and former minister of petroleum and mineral resources for Saudi Arabia. He served as the president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, before becoming the oil minister. Al-Naimi played a crucial role in shaping global oil markets and policies. His tenure saw significant developments in the oil industry, including efforts to stabilize oil prices and promote sustainable energy practices.
T. Boone Pickens was an American business magnate and financier who was involved in the oil and gas industry. He was the chairman of BP Capital Management and is known for his efforts in advocating for alternative energy sources, including wind power. Pickens made a name for himself with his takeover bids of oil companies in the 1980s and later became a prominent spokesperson for energy independence and sustainability in the United States.