Final answer:
John D. Rockefeller led the formation of the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company to produce petroleum on a commercial scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
John D. Rockefeller led the formation of the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company, which later became the Standard Oil Company. He wanted to produce petroleum on a commercial scale by refining crude oil into kerosene, a more efficient and less dangerous source of energy than whale oil. Rockefeller's business strategies and control over the market allowed him to dominate the oil industry during that time.