All About Inventions and Discoveries
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The Age of Oil 285 siasm and hearty co-operation of Drake and bis engineer, supported by the indomitable perseverance of the three labourers, work went forward with ex- asperating tediousness. Every few minutes would bring the sudden revelation of something unexpected which demanded instant attention. But the diffi- culties and troubles as they cropped up were attacked and subjugated by the little party, the result being that the length of piping sank deeper and deeper into the ground. The pipe had notched a depth of 69^ feet on August 27th, 1859, and the drill was being applied with striking zeal. Suddenly there was an excited cry. A dark, greasy substance was welling to the mouth of the pipe. Drake and the engineer craned forward to inspect the substance more closely. As they did so the peculiarly pungent aroma of crude petroleum grew stronger and stronger. Now the water had disappeared, and only the thicker greasy substance was pouring over the top of the pipe. The excitement became intense, and the drill was plied with even greater zest, smashing and pounding at the hard rock. With each successive blow the oil rose with increasing volume. At last the drill broke through the remaining film of rock, and the oil poured out in a bigger and steadier stream. Oil had been struck ! Three months weary and exasperating work in the woods of Pennsylvania had brought its due reward. As the welling oil increased its flow the party regarded it with a strange amaze- ment. Presently the output appealed to reach its maximum, and they carefully measuied the yield. It was 35 gallons an hour !