In the year 1904, it controlled 91% of oil production and … The History of the Standard Oil Company, originally a serial that ran in McClure’s, is one of the most thorough accounts of the rise of a business monopoly and its use of unfair practices. As a direct witness to the schemes and horizontal integration of John D. Rockefeller and his associates, Tarbell began building the foundations of The History of the Standard Oil Company early with growing senses of interest and discontent. The company moves to its current location on Bishop Avenue, Bridgeport. The Standard Oil Trust Agreement, signed by Rockefeller and nine other associates in 1882, states that companies involved in the agreement could be willfully created, dissolved, and divided. Originally serialized in 19 parts in McClure's magazine, the book was… It was an exposé of the Standard Oil Company, run at that time by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller the richest figure in America's history. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! The original book was a two-volume hardcover set. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. [3], In 1999 a jury under the aegis of the New York University's journalism department selected The History of the Standard Oil Company as the fifth best work of journalism in the United States in the 20th Century. Of the initial 10,000 shares, John D. Rockefeller received 2,667; Harkness received 1,334; William Rockefeller, Flagler, and Andrews received … [2], After her education and to accumulate writing experience, Tarbell began working at McClure's Magazine, where she wrote several successful series on historical figures. The inspiration behind The History of Standard Oil Company was largely fueled by Ida Tarbell's childhood experiences. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/01/business/media-journalism-s-greatest-hits-two-lists-of-a-century-s-top-stories.html, American Experience | The Rockefellers | Special Features | A Journalistic Masterpiece, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_History_of_the_Standard_Oil_Company&oldid=992567398, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 December 2020, at 23:28. The History of the Standard Oil Company; Volume 1 by Ida Minerva Tarbell. 1920's Standard becomes the leading supplier of high quality coal throughout Bridgeport and Stratford. "[9], "Miss Tarbell Has the Distinction (political cartoon)". In 1870, the company was renamed Standard Oil Company, after which Rockefeller decided to buy up all the … The Trust did so, becoming 34 separate and individual companies. Also, Standard Oil of New York, which merged with Vacuum Oil, and later became Mobil. Born into modest circumstances in upstate New York, he entered the then-fledgling oil business in 1863 by investing in a Cleveland, Ohio, refinery. Established in 1870, it operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational corporations until it was dissolved by the United States Supreme Court in 1911. Standard Oil Co. was a monopoly founded by John D Rockefeller back in 1870. Finally, the Ohio Oil Company, which became Marathon Oil, which eventually also spun-off Marathon Petroleum. In 1870, he established Standard Oil, which by the early 1880s controlled some 90 percent of U.S. refineries and pipelines. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. The History of the Standard Oil Company: An Infographic. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! This is the full and complete digital version of both volumes, plus all appendices, illustrations, charts, tables, footnotes, index and fully hyperlinked. After a two year battle in the courtroom with over 400 witnesses, more than 1300 exhibits, and a full report of nearly 15,000 pages, the US Government won. Today, the largest of these companies form the essence of the U.S. oil industry. The History of the Standard Oil Company; Volume 2: Tarbell, Ida M. (Ida Minerva) 1857-1944: Amazon.com.au: Books However, the Trust continued to operate from its headquarters in New York City. The History of the Standard Oil Company is credited with hastening the breakup of Standard Oil, which came about in 1911, when the Supreme Court of the United States found the company to be violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. 1857-06-18 Henry Clay Folger, American CEO of Standard Oil and founder of the Folger Shakespeare Library, born in New York City (d. 1930) 1857-11-05 Ida Tarbell, American muckraker (The History of the Standard Oil Company), born in Erie County, Pennsylvania (d. 1944) John D. Rockefeller Jr At the turn of the 20th century, John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil was a force to be reckoned with. The company was created and built by John D. Rockefeller and his associates. Standard Coal and Charcoal Company is founded by Irving Friedman offering customers superior quality Jeddo-Highland coal that burns longer with less ash. An abridged paperback edition was released later. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. From 1870 to 1911, the Standard Oil Company and Trust held control of the United States’s entire oil production. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In 1880, the Standard Oil Company controlled around 95 percent of. The first major industrial monopoly in the U.S., Standard Oil, in 1901, was the largest corporation in the country, and at its peak, controlled as much as eighty-five percent of oil refining in America. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The value of Rockefeller's shares rose after the breakup as the new companies had a positive development on the stock exchange.[1]. Immediately after the ruling in 1911, eight companies kept Standard Oil as a part of their name. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The government then sued the Standard Oil Company & Trust for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. In 1878, Standard Oil Co. opened a three-person, second-story office in San Francisco. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Add to cart . Standard Oil of Indiana, as the company was officially known for many years, took shape in 1899. The company began to purchase or drive out of business oil refiners across the United States. [7] In his 2008 book Taking on the Trust: The Epic Battle of Ida Tarbell and John D. Rockefeller, Steve Weinberg described the exposure of Standard Oil as "arguably the greatest work of investigative journalism ever written". In 1955, the Standard Oil refinery at Whiting, Indiana was one of the largest oil processing centers in the world. Yet Tarbell's work is more than simply a monumental piece of reporting; it is a deft, engrossing portrait of business in America--both its virtues and excesses. John D. Rockefeller (July 8, 1839–May 23, 1937) was an astute businessman who became America’s first billionaire in 1916. The History of the Standard Oil Company was credited with hastening the breakup of Standard Oil, which came about in 1911. A truly fascinating work. Standard Oil's pre-history began in 1863, as an Ohio partnership formed by industrialist John D. Rockefeller, his brother William Rockefeller, Henry Flagler, chemist Samuel Andrews, silent partner Stephen V. Harkness, and Oliver Burr Jennings, who had married the sister of William Rockefeller's wife. By 1880, Rockefeller had bought out Clark, invited Henry M. Flager to join him, and operated the largest oil refineries in Cleveland. The history of the Standard Oil Company is interesting to explore. In 1870, Rockefeller united these companies together as the Standard Oil Company. The company was formed by John D. Rockefeller, Maurice B. Clark, and Samuel Andrews in Cleveland, Ohio. The Standard Oil Company’s originated in 1863. In 1911, the Trust was ordered to break apart. A 1904 editorial review from The New York Times relayed the highlights of the volumes to the public, noting the diplomatic tendencies of Tarbell within her work - still widely respectful of the achievements of John D. Rockefeller but critical of Standard Oil's business strategies that were unfair and of questionable legality. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The unscrupulous tactics used by Rockefeller to build Standard Oil were one of the key drivers of anti-trust law in the USA, including the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Standard Oil of Indiana officially became Amoco Corporation in 1985 and merged with British Petroleum (now BP) in 1998. The state of Ohio sued Standard Oil on the basis of this law, and in 1892 the company was forced to separate its structure into regional companies, such as Standard Oil of New Jersey, Standard Oil of Ohio, and Standard Oil of California (the branch with which Daniel deals in the film, and which in real life was led by H.M. Tilford, as in the film). The history of the Standard Oil Company is interesting to explore. The History of the Standard Oil Company is a 1904 book by journalist Ida Tarbell. These cookies do not store any personal information. Initially it consisted of a single facility outside Whiting, Indiana, which refined oil intro products that people and business needed: axle grease for industrial machinery, paraffin wax … Audi History: The Story Behind the Luxury Car Brand, History of Physical Therapy: From Service to Profession, Birmingham Alabama History: The Boomtown of Civil Rights, Mulan History: From Ancient China to Disney. Actually, a few of these companies, including Exxon and Mobil have once again merged. [8], In a 2010 column, economist Thomas Sowell criticized Tarbell for what he characterized as cherry picking which data to include in her book: "One of the crucial facts left out of Ida Tarbell's book was that Rockefeller's improvements in the oil industry brought down the price of oil to a fraction of what it had been before.[...] 30-day returns. In 1933, Standard Oil secured the first contract to drill for oil in Saudia Arabia. Today, Mobil 1 is the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand; Detergent gasolines In 1968, Mobil was the first to develop detergent gasolines. During the 1870s and 1880s, Rockefeller sought to expand Standard Oil's influence. Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, irked by her stinging éxpose, dubbed her "Miss Tarbarrel." Her story, serialized by McClure's in 1902 and 1903, tells the history of John D. Rockefeller's company. Publication date 1904 Topics Standard Oil Company Publisher New York : McClure, Phillips Collection kellylibrary; toronto Digitizing sponsor MSN Contributor Kelly - University of Toronto Language English. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was the first federal act that placed a ban on monopolistic business practices. Jared Cummans Jan 30, 2015 In the early 1900s, Standard Oil was one of the largest names in the world. Adding to your cart. Rogers' success in the oil industry began with Charles Pratt in 1866, when he invented the process by which naphtha was separated from crude oil, making oil refining possible. [4], Several journal and newspaper reviewers addressed The History of Standard Oil Company by praising its calmness in the face of hatred, focus on facts, and genuine exposure of the effects that greed can have on businessmen seeking success. This agreement, which sat upon layers of legal paperwork and loopholes, discouraged public investigation into the Trust’s proceedings and actions. The History of the Standard Oil Company is listed number five among the top 100 works of twentieth-century American journalism by the New York Times in 1999. John D. Rockefeller bought his and Pratt's business in 1874, and Rogers rose rapidly in Standard Oil. Standard Oil Company was incorporated in Ohio in 1870, but the company’s origins date to 1863, when John D. Rockefeller joined Maurice B. Clark and Samuel Andrews in a Cleveland, Ohio, oil-refining business. Around this time the Sherman Anti-Trust act was passed and soon the slow decline of Standard Oil’s power began. The item you've selected wasn't added to your cart. We hope you enjoy this website. It was the world’s largest industrial merger at the time. Eventually, Tarbell uncovered a crucial piece of evidence proving that Standard Oil was rigging railroad prices and preying on its competition. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The government felt that The Standard Oil Company’s economic power was beginning to be excessive. Rockefeller bought out Clark in 1865, and Henry M. Flagler became a partner in the venture in 1867. Many similar accounts followed Lloyd’s—the most definitive being Ida Tarbell’s 1904 History of the Standard Oil Company, ranked by a survey of leading journalists as one of the five greatest works of journalism in the 20th century.3 Lloyd’s, Tarbell’s, and other works differ widely in their depth and details, but all tell the same essential story—one that remains with us to this day. Nowadays, hardly any trace of the Standard Oil Company & Trust names exist. Standard’s two largest refineries are located in Whiting and Texas City, Texas. This included oil processing, marketing, and transportation. Sign in to check out Check out as a guest . Despite its modest trappings, Standard possessed marketing acumen, outstanding products, an aggressive advertising philosophy and financial backing from its New York parent. Standard Oil Mast Yukon, OK on US 66. Nowadays, the Standard Oil Company remains in pieces as it was broken apart into several different companies and subsidiaries. Nowadays, the Standard Oil Company remains in pieces as it was broken apart into several different companies and subsidiaries. [6], Though Standard Oil Company accrued more cumulative value after it was broken up, the exposure of what Tarbell described as immoral and illegal business became a striking symbol of the power of the press. Published in 1904, Ida Tarbell's The History of the Standard Oil Company exposed Rockefeller's monopolistic tactics to the public, eventually resulting in the company's dismantling in 1911. It is an exposé about the Standard Oil Company, run at the time by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, the richest figure in American history. Oil Prices. So careful is she in her facts, so sane in her judgements, that she seems to have reached the high-water mark of industrial history." From 1870 to 1911, the Standard Oil Company and Trust held control of the United States’s entire oil production. "MISS TARBELL'S BOOK: A Glance at the Widely Advertised "History of the Standard Oil Company. In 1880, the Standard Oil Company controlled around 95 percent of all the refined oil in the United States. The refinery became a centerpiece of John D. Rockefeller’s Midwest oil empire in 1889, part of his larger Standard Oil Trust that came to dominate the oil industry through the early 1900s. In 1974, Mobil introduced the first synthetic motor oil – Mobil 1™. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. _____ The American Oil & Gas Historical Society preserves U.S. petroleum history. This included oil processing, marketing, and transportation. Standard Oil played a crucial role in the growth of the U.S economy due to its strong rooting in areas such as the railroads, other industries, as well as the government and, although it is criticized for a multitude of questionable business activities, Standard Oil did indeed benefit the U.S Economy in a number of ways. The history of the Standard Oil Company carries on today through various companies they previously owned. [2][3] Journalists, politicians, and citizens alike celebrated the accomplishments of Tarbell - a woman "outside" the inner workings of business and without significant money or influence. Motor oil In 1952, Jersey Standard introduced Uniflo motor oil, the first multigrade motor oil for both summer and winter use. In 1870, Rockefeller founded Standard Oil Company, which eventually became a domineering monopoly in the oil industry. Critics accused Rockefeller … Originally serialized in nineteen parts in McClure's magazine, the book is a seminal example of muckraking, and inspired many other journalists to write about trusts, large businesses that (in the absence of strong antitrust laws in the 19th century) attempted to gain monopolies in various industries. The history of the Standard Oil Company by Tarbell, Ida M. (Ida Minerva), 1857-1944. The subsequent decision splintered the company into 34 "baby Standards." History of Brands american history, history, oil, oil company. Another one was Standard Oil of Kentucky , Texaco, and Unocal. In 1892, the Ohio Supreme Court even tried to dissolve the Trust. Her father, Franklin Tarbell, worked for Standard Oil and lived through what Ida called "hate, suspicion, and fear that engulfed the community." It was during this time that the company went from a local Cleveland operation to a countrywide powerhouse. Amoco, which was renamed from Standard Oil of Indiana and later acquired by BP, along with what was once known as Standard Oil of Ohio, is another. [5] One review from the Economic Journal fixated on the monumental nature of Tarbell's work, stating that "it is difficult to write about Miss Tarbell's remarkable achievement without using language approaching the edge of hyperbole. In 1906, the United States Government became involved. After this initial success, her shift turned to John D. Rockefeller. The articles also helped to define a growing trend to investigation,… [2][3], Public outcry erupted at the conclusion of Tarbell's 19-part exposure of Standard Oil published in McClure's, eventually resulting in the expedited breakup of Standard Oil in 1911. It was during this time that the company went from a local Cleveland operation to a countrywide powerhouse. Settlers used oil as an illuminant for medicine, and as grease for wagons and tools. The Standard Oil Company argued that they were merely better than their competitors. Add to Watchlist Unwatch. The company had its reach all across the United States and was headed by none other than famed entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller. Copyright © Historyplex & Buzzle.com, Inc.
As such, The History of Standard Oil Company harbors great significance as a standard-bearer of modern investigative journalism. By 1880, Rockefeller had bought out Clark, invited Henry M. Flager to join him, and operated the largest oil refineries in Cleveland. Standard Oil was a predominant integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. The company was formed by John D. Rockefeller, Maurice B. Clark, and Samuel Andrews in Cleveland, Ohio. The History of the Standard Oil Company is a book written by journalist Ida Tarbell in 1904. 31 35 Addeddate 2007-05-17 16:41:24 This agreement, which sat upon layers of legal paperwork and loopholes, In 1906, the United States Government became involved. By 1890, Standard Oil had control of about ninety percent of all the oil refineries within the United States. The government then sued the Standard Oil Company & Trust for violating the. The company was created and built by John D. Rockefeller and his associates. The History of the Standard Oil Company is a 1904 book by journalist Ida Tarbell. Before the interstate highway system was developed, Route 66 was the safest, fastest way to cross the western half of the country. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. "Standard Oil's approach is a typical example of how large companies try to gain advantages and monopolies by utilizing their financial power and … These include Standard Oil of New Jersey, which merged with Humble Oil and later became Exxon. She began by interviewing Henry H. Rogers, one of her father's fellow independents who became one of Rockefeller's colleagues, as well as others close to the inner workings of Standard Oil, that included one of the founders Frank Barstow as well. The Standard Oil Company’s originated in 1863. In 1870, Rockefeller abolished the partnership and incorporated Standard Oil in Ohio. The Standard Oil Trust was formed in 1863 by John D. Rockefeller. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Starting in Chicago and ending Santa Monica, the "Main Street of America" came right though St. Louis, but not in the mostly straight lines we're accustomed to now. Originally serialized in nineteen parts in McClure's magazine, the book is a seminal example of muckraking, and inspired many other journalists to write about trusts, large businesses that (in the absence of strong antitrust laws in the 19th century) attempted to gain monopolies in various industries. Standard Oil's growth in wealth and power drew the awe of other corporations and the criticism of social critics, most notably muckraker Ida Tarbell, who wrote the scathing "History of the Standard Oil Company" in McClure's magazine in 1902. These reactions are immortalized in political cartoons utilizing imagery of Rockefeller's hidden agendas being demolished by investigative journalism and muckraking. As the years went by Standard Oil’s grasp upon the oil market tightened. Despite the dominance of Standard Oil over the American market from the 1880s through the 1900s, one important fact should not be ignored: Oil prices throughout this period remained at about $1 per barrel, lower than the prices before or after this period. He built up the company through 1868 to become the largest oil refinery firm in the world. Would the public have been better off if older and more costly methods of producing, processing and shipping oil had continued to be used, leading to prices far higher than necessary? The Standard Oil Trust Agreement, signed by Rockefeller and nine other associates in 1882, states that companies involved in the agreement could be willfully created, dissolved, and divided. John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), founder of the Standard Oil Company, became one of the worlds wealthiest men and a major philanthropist. 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