Ancient History of Petrol / Gasoline

7.2 Ancient History

• 3500 BC: Asphalt was used in what is now Iraq as a sealant for boats and from 2200 BC by the Babylonians during the construction of tunnels, walls, towers, roads and the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

• In the 8th century the streets of Baghdad were paved with tar.

• China: Oil was first used in China in about 200 BC. Using bamboo poles with brass attachments, wells as deep as 3,500 feet were achieved.

• Lighting: The most common use for petroleum oil was to provide lighting and heating. Oil lamps were used in the 13th century in Baku, Russia. In about the 10th century in Cairo, Egypt, torches were lit with oil.

• Pipe Lines: There are reports that bamboo poles were used to connect oil wells to salt springs in China in the 10th century. The oil being burned to evaporate brine and produce salt.