In what year did gasoline appear: from the first experiments to mass production

Gasoline today is not just a fuel, but the basis of the planet’s transport infrastructure. Without it, it is impossible to imagine everyday trips, cargo transportation, or the operation of special equipment. But few people think that this familiar product has a rich history, dating back to the 19th century. When exactly did gasoline appear, and how did it turn from a by-product of oil refining into the main energy carrier of our time?

Many people mistakenly believe that gasoline was invented at the same time as the first car. In fact, its history began long before the appearance internal combustion engine. Initially, this substance was not even considered as a fuel - it was used for completely different purposes. Let's figure out how gasoline production technology developed, who was at its origins, and why this particular product became the basis for motor vehicles.

Modern gasoline is the result of a complex chemical evolution. Its composition, octane number and even color have changed dramatically over a century and a half. But the roots of this fuel go back to an era when oil was just beginning to be extracted on an industrial scale, and cars had not yet been dreamed of.

First mentions and predecessors of gasoline

Historians of technology agree that the prototype of gasoline appeared in 1825when a British scientist Michael Faraday For the first time, he isolated a light fraction from oil, which he called “hydrogen carburette.” This substance had properties close to modern gasoline, but was not used as fuel. Faraday explored oil as a chemical raw material rather than as a source of energy.

In those days, the main fuel for lighting and heating was kerosene. Gasoline fractions were considered a by-product of its production - they were simply burned or poured out as waste. No one imagined that in a few decades this “garbage” would become the main product of oil refining.

Interesting fact: in 1857 Polish pharmacist Ignacy Lukasiewicz invented the first kerosene lamp, but at the same time noticed that light fractions of oil (future gasoline) burn and evaporate well. He even suggested using them for Primus stoves, but the idea was not developed.

Official date of introduction of gasoline: 1860s

The starting point in the industrial production of gasoline is considered to be 1862when the brothers' first oil refinery was built in the United States Drake and Birchfield. It was there that they began to purposefully separate light fractions from kerosene. However, this product was still not called "gasoline" - it was called naphtha or gasoline.

In Europe, development proceeded in parallel: in 1864 German chemist Friedrich Beggius patented a method of cracking oil, which made it possible to obtain more stable light fractions. This process became the prototype of modern oil refining. K 1870 gasoline was already sold in pharmacies as a solvent and cleaning agent - it was added to stain removers and varnishes.

The key moment came at 1885when Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach created the first gasoline internal combustion engine. It was then that gasoline ceased to be a by-product and became a popular fuel. Interestingly, Daimler bought gasoline at a pharmacy - it was sold in bottles as a “clothes cleaner.”

Evolution of production: from waste to the main product

Before 1890s gasoline remained the second most important petroleum product after kerosene. This changed with the growth of the automobile industry. B 1892 Rudolf Diesel invented an engine that runs on heavy fuel, but gasoline engines were already gaining popularity due to their simplicity of design.

K 1900 Demand for gasoline increased so much that oil refineries began to modernize equipment. The first quality standards appeared:

• 🔹 1903 — introduction of the concept of “octane number” (although the term officially appeared later)
• 🔹 1911 — the first additives to increase detonation resistance (lead)
• 🔹 1920s — start of production of high-octane gasoline for aviation

The company played an important role Standard Oil (predecessor ExxonMobil), which in 1912 began mass production of gasoline with additives. K 1920 Gasoline has finally overtaken kerosene in sales volumes.

Why is gasoline called "gasoline" in the USA?

In America, the term "gasoline" was established historically - it comes from the word "gas" (gas) and the suffix "-oline", which was used to designate petroleum products. In Europe, the word “gasoline” took root, coming from the Arabic “lubān ğāwi” (amber resin) through the French “benzine”.

Gasoline and the automobile revolution: how fuel changed the world

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, gasoline became the engine of progress, literally and figuratively. B 1886 Karl Benz received a patent for the first car with a gasoline engine - Benz Patent-Motorwagen. This event started a chain reaction:

• 🚗 1893 - the first gas stations in Germany (gasoline was sold in buckets)
• 🛢️ 1908 - start of mass production Ford Model Trunning on gasoline
• ⛽ 1913 — the first gas station in the modern sense (Pittsburgh, USA)

K 1920s gasoline has become a strategic resource. Governments began to regulate its production and quality. For example, in the USSR in 1924 The first GOST for gasoline was adopted, and octane standards were introduced in the United States.

Interesting fact: During World War I, gasoline was used not only for cars, but also for the first tanks, and also as a solvent for rubber products. Its shortage in some countries has led to the development of alternative fuels, for example, alcohol-gasoline mixtures.

Modern gasoline: composition, standards and future

Today, gasoline is a high-tech product with dozens of additives. Its composition is regulated by strict standards:

Parameter	1920s standard	Modern standard (Euro 6)
Octane number	40–50	92–100
Sulfur content	Up to 1%	Less than 10 ppm
Additives	Lead, alcohol	Detergent, anti-corrosion, anti-knock
Ecological class	Missing	Euro-6 (since 2014)

Main trends in recent years:

• 🌱 Go to biocomponents (up to 10% ethanol in gasoline)
• 🔋 Development synthetic gasoline from CO₂ and hydrogen
• ⚡ Hybrid technologies that reduce fuel consumption

However, despite the development of electric vehicles, gasoline will remain in demand for decades to come. According to forecasts International Energy Agency, to 2040 it will cover at least 60% of transport needs.

Check the octane number (not lower than that recommended by the car manufacturer)|Pay attention to the brand of the gas station (avoid “no-name” stations)|Watch the color of the fuel (high-quality gasoline is transparent, without turbidity)|Do not refuel immediately after draining the fuel from the tank (there may be a suspension)|Use fuel with detergent additives once every 5,000 km-->

Myths and misconceptions about gasoline

There are many myths associated with gasoline that interfere with the proper operation of the car. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: "The higher the octane number, the better"

⚠️ Attention: Gasoline with an octane rating higher than that recommended by the manufacturer does not increase power and can lead to engine overheating. For example, if your car is designed for AI-92, then AI-98 will not provide an increase in dynamics, but may cause carbon deposits on the spark plugs.

Myth 2: “Gasoline spoils after a month”

In fact, when properly stored (in an airtight container, at a temperature of 20°C), gasoline retains its properties up to 6 months. The main enemies of fuel are oxygen and moisture, which trigger oxidative processes.

Myth 3: “All additives are harmful”

Modern additives approved by car manufacturers (for example, Liqui Moly or Castrol), are not only safe, but also necessary for cleaning the fuel system. Only homemade additives with questionable composition cause harm.

Myth 4: “Diesel is cheaper than gasoline”

This was true 10–15 years ago. Today, the price difference between diesel and gasoline in Russia is only 1–3 rubles per liter, and in Europe diesel is often more expensive. However, diesel engines require more expensive maintenance.

The future of gasoline: fading or evolution?

With the advent of electric vehicles, many are predicting the imminent end of the gasoline era. However, experts believe that a complete abandonment of it is unlikely even to 2050. Reasons:

• 🌍 Developing countries (Africa, Asia) will depend on internal combustion engines for decades to come
• ⚙️ Freight transport and aviation cannot completely switch to electricity
• 💰 The oil production and refining infrastructure is too large for a quick shutdown

Instead of disappearing, gasoline will evolve:

• 🔬 Synthetic gasoline from renewable sources (project Porsche eFuel)
• ♻️ Circular economy: recycling waste into fuel
• 🔋 Hybrid fuel cells, combining gasoline and electricity

Interesting project: company Neste (Finland) already produces renewable gasoline from food industry waste. It can be used in existing engines without modification, reducing CO₂ emissions by 90%.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about gasoline

Is it possible to mix gasoline of different brands (for example, AI-92 and AI-95)?

Yes, but with reservations. Mixing will not harm the engine if both brands are from the same trusted manufacturer. However, the octane number of the resulting mixture will be average. For example, when mixing 92 and 95 in a 1:1 ratio, you will get approximately 93.5. It is not recommended to mix gasoline with an octane number difference of more than 3 units (for example, 92 and 98).

Is it true that gasoline is different in winter and summer?

Absolutely true! Summer gasoline has a higher saturated vapor pressure, which prevents the formation of vapor locks. Winter gasoline, on the contrary, contains more light fractions for easy starting in cold weather. In Russia, the transition to winter fuel occurs with November 1, for summer - from April 1. Using summer gasoline in winter can lead to problems starting the engine.

Why does gasoline have different colors in different countries?

The color of gasoline depends on the additives and country standards. For example:

• 🇷🇺 In Russia, gasoline is usually transparent with a slight yellowish tint
• 🇺🇸 In the US, gasoline often has an orange tint due to additives
• 🇨🇦 In Canada, winter gasoline may be pinkish
• 🇪🇺 In the EU, gasoline with bio-additives (E10) has a greenish tint

Color does not affect quality, but helps identify the type of fuel.

What happens if you fill the gas tank with diesel fuel?

This is one of the most dangerous mistakes! A gasoline engine is not designed for diesel fuel, which has a different viscosity and ignition temperature. Consequences:

• ⚠️ Clogged fuel system (injectors, filters)
• ⚠️ Damage to spark plugs
• ⚠️ Risk of detonation and damage to pistons

⚠️ Attention: If you made a mistake and filled up with diesel, don't start the engine! Immediately drain the fuel and flush the system. Starting the engine will worsen the damage by 3–5 times.

How much gasoline is left in the tank when the light comes on?

It depends on the car model, but on average:

• 🚗 Passenger cars: 5–7 liters (enough for 50–100 km)
• 🚐 Crossovers/SUVs: 8–12 liters (100–150 km)
• 🚛 Trucks: 20–30 liters (up to 200 km)

However, completely emptying the tank is harmful to the fuel pump - it is cooled by gasoline. Regular driving “with a light bulb” reduces the pump life by 30–40%.