Kerosene for Lighting: Before the widespread availability of electricity, kerosene lamps were extensively used for lighting in households, streets, and public spaces. Kerosene, a refined product of petroleum, was a reliable source of bright and smokeless light.
Lubricants: Petroleum-based lubricants, such as greases and oils, were essential for reducing friction and wear in machinery, including steam engines, textile mills, printing presses, and agricultural equipment.
Heating: In regions with cold climates, petroleum was used as a heating fuel for homes and businesses. Petroleum-powered stoves and furnaces provided efficient heating, replacing traditional sources like wood and coal.
Industrial Processes: Petroleum-derived products found applications in various industrial processes. Naphtha, another petroleum product, was used in rubber manufacturing, paint production, and dry cleaning, among other industries.
Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: Some petroleum fractions were used in the production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. For example, petrolatum, a jelly-like substance, was used as an ointment in medicinal applications.
Asphalt for Road Paving: Asphalt, a viscous material obtained from petroleum, was used in paving roads and sidewalks, providing a durable and smooth surface for transportation.
Fuel for Early Internal Combustion Engines: Although automobiles were not yet widely adopted, internal combustion engines existed before the turn of the 20th century. These engines used petroleum-based fuels, including gasoline and diesel, for power generation.
While these applications were not as large-scale as the demand for petroleum for transportation became later, they illustrate that petroleum was a versatile and sought-after resource with various uses in lighting, lubrication, heating, industrial activities, and specialized applications even before the invention of automobiles.
