Early uses of petroleum
Petroleum in an unrefined state has been utilized by
Homo sapiens for over 5000 years. Ancient
Persian tablets indicate the
medicinal and lighting uses of petroleum in the upper echelons of their society. Ancient
Chinese were also known to burn skimmed
oil for light.
The early 19th century ushered in petroleum's usefulness as a medicine and lubricant; other successful uses included lighting and heating.
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