October 1, 1908 – Ford produces First Model T
Model T tires were white until 1910, when the petroleum product carbon black was added to improve durability.
The first production Model T Ford rolled off the assembly line at the company’s plant in Detroit. Between 1908 and 1927, Ford built about 15 million Model T cars – fueled by inexpensive gasoline. The auto’s popularity was great timing for the U.S. petroleum industry, which had seen demand for kerosene for lamps drop because of increased use of electric lighting.
New major oilfield discoveries, including the 1901 “Lucas Gusherâ€Â at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas, helped meet growing demand for what had been a refining byproduct: gasoline. See Cantankerous Combustion – 1st U.S. Auto Show.
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