Question

Humans have used __________ (oil) for thousands of years in medicine and weapons of war. However, the use of this material did not truly surge until the __________ where oil became valuable as both a fuel for illumination and a lubricant __________ before it became a __________ for wood, coal, animal power, and other sources of __________. Liquid petroleum had some significant __________ over other energy sources of the times: it was concentrated, and it could be transported easily from one place to another.

Answer 1

Historically, the surge in oil usage began with the Industrial Revolution, transitioning from a simple lubricant to the primary energy source for internal combustion engines and a key component in the transportation revolution with cars like the Model T.

Step-by-step explanation:

Humans have used petroleum (oil) for thousands of years in medicine and weapons of war. However, the use of this material did not truly surge until the Industrial Revolution where oil became valuable as both a fuel for illumination and a lubricant before it became a substitute for wood, coal, animal power, and other sources of energy. Liquid petroleum had some significant advantages over other energy sources of the times: it was concentrated, and it could be transported easily from one place to another.

Oil played a simple role as a machine lubricant when it first entered the scene around 1850, but by the late 19th century, internal combustion engines started becoming more efficient, leading to their widespread use in transportation. This transition saw a decline in steam-powered engines as diesel-fired ship and train engines, and gasoline-powered automobiles became the norm, with Henry Ford's Model T mass production starting in 1913. Moreover, oil's usage broadened to fuel gasoline and diesel engines, provide kerosene for lamps, and later to produce synthetics like plastics.