1

1851: Early refining emerges

Image: Cedrik Wesche

Just before the drilling boom, chemists like Samuel Kier developed small stills to refine crude oil into kerosene for lamps.

That innovation turned oil from a curiosity into a practical commodity. Kerosene replaced whale oil, making lighting cheaper and more widely available, and it created demand for a reliable crude supply.

2

1859: First commercial well

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

On August 27, 1859, Drake Well near Titusville, Pennsylvania, drilled by Edwin L. Drake, became the first purposefully drilled commercial oil well in U.S. history.

This moment ignited the first true American oil boom. Suddenly, it was possible to produce large volumes of crude—not just collect surface seepage—and to refine it into useful fuels.

3

1860s–1870s: Pennsylvania oil rush

Image: Jeff W

Word of the Drake success spread fast, and drilling spiked throughout Pennsylvania. Towns such as Titusville swelled almost overnight as wells and refineries spread along Oil Creek Valley.

Railroads extended into western Pennsylvania to transport oil across the country, embedding petroleum into America’s emerging industrial infrastructure.

4

1890s: Dawn of the automobile

Image: Matthew Lancaster

By the 1890s and into the early 20th century, the rise of the automobile created growing demand for gasoline , which had previously been a relatively minor byproduct of crude oil refining.

This shift moved oil’s primary role away from lighting and industrial lubrication and toward transportation fuel , setting the stage for petroleum to dominate America’s energy needs in the decades that followed.

5

1900s–1910s: Rise of big oil companies

Image: Russel Bailo

Following early successes, oil refining and distribution consolidated. Firms like Standard Oil Company rose to dominate refining, pipelines, and distribution networks.

At the same time, new oil fields and competition still challenged monopolies and spread oil wealth and infrastructure across more regions of the country.

6

1914–1945: Oil & war

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During both World War I and World War II, U.S. oil production and refining capacity became critical to the Allied war effort , fueling ships, vehicles, aircraft, and manufacturing.

That strategic role cemented oil’s position not only in industry but also in American global power, military strategy, and foreign policy.

7

1960: A global oil cartel forms

Image: Christian Harb

On September 14, 1960, the main oil‑exporting nations formed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to coordinate oil production and influence prices globally.

Though initially limited in power, OPEC’s rise began to challenge American dominance , setting the stage for decades of geopolitical tension around oil supply.

8

1969: Santa Barbara oil spill

Image: matt brown

In early 1969, a blowout from an offshore drilling platform released tens of thousands of barrels of oil into the waters off California’s coast, devastating marine life and beaches.

The resulting public outrage helped trigger a surge in environmental awareness and regulation, marking a turning point in how the oil industry was perceived socially and politically.

9

1970–1973: Peak and decline

Image: Documerica

By 1970, U.S. conventional oil production reached its peak, but soon after began a decline as domestic fields matured and couldn’t keep up with the growing demand.

As American production fell, the country gradually became more reliant on foreign oil, a shift that would have major economic and political repercussions.

10

2000s–2010s: Top oil producer again

Image: engin akyurt

In the early 2000s, engineers refined techniques like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. This unlocked vast shale‑oil and shale‑gas reserves previously uneconomical to tap.

From about 2010 onward, U.S. crude oil production rose sharply, reversing decades of decline. By 2019, the country was producing at levels not seen since the early 1970s.

1

Sleep routine

Image: Tina Witherspoon

Your body is a routine animal. If you eat at a certain time, you’ll probably feel hungry around that same time the next day. If you go to sleep at a certain hour, you’ll likely feel sleepy at that same hour the next day.

Use this to your advantage by sticking to a consistent sleep schedule , both for going to bed and for waking up. If you do this consistently, your body will embrace this routine, and it will start to come naturally.

2

Food and drinks

Image: Kelsey Chance

Avoid going to bed shortly after a large meal. Your digestive system will stay active for a long period of time potentially keeping you awake until it finishes processing the food and drink you've consumed.

The same goes for alcohol: while it might make you feel drowsy at first, it can disrupt your sleep later in the night.

3

Create a good sleeping environment

Image: Ainur Iman

A dark, quiet, and cool bedroom makes for a good sleeping environment . Your senses will continue capturing and processing any light or sound present in your bedroom, which is why it is important to minimize these distractions as much as possible.

4

Avoid long naps

Image: Tânia Mousinho

This one is quite straightforward: your body only requires a certain amount of sleep , and if you use up a large portion of it during the day, you may find yourself staying awake longer at night. While a short, 20-minute nap during the day can help restore your energy, a longer rest period will subtract from your nighttime sleep.

5

Physical activity

Image: Chander R

Regular physical activity and spending time outside every day are great ways to promote better sleep at night. However, it’s important to avoid physical exercise if you are too close to your bedtime to avoid overstimulation.

6

Avoid going to bed with worries

Image: Yohann LIBOT

Whatever worries you may have in your life, try to avoid thinking about them while you're trying to sleep. Stressful thoughts can delay sleep and create anxiety , leading to less-than-optimal rest. Instead, write down any issues you need to deal with and save them for the next day.

7

Light exposure

Image: Gabe

Spending time in natural sunlight or bright light during the day can help keep your circadian rhythm healthy and, in turn, improve your daytime energy and enhance the quality and duration of your sleep at night.

In contrast, avoid exposure to screens for at least half an hour before going to bed. Nighttime light exposure can have the opposite effect from daytime exposure because it reduces your levels of melatonin, which helps you relax and get deep sleep.

8

No alcohol before bedtime

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As mentioned earlier, drinking alcohol before bedtime is not recommended . Alcohol can cause or worsen symptoms of sleep apnea, increase snoring, and disrupt normal sleep patterns. It also alters nighttime melatonin production, which plays a key role in regulating your body’s circadian rhythm.

9

A good bed and pillow

Image: Andrew Neel

Poor-quality bedding can lead to increased lower back pain , making it harder to sleep well. Firm and medium-firm mattresses are available at different price ranges and can be a good choice for comfort and to avoid back pain.

Pillows should not cause neck pain, either. Find a pillow that isn’t too high and offers comfort for your sleep style. It will make for a better rest, and your body will thank you in the morning.

10

No liquids right before bed

Image: Steve Johnson

There’s nothing wrong with being hydrated during your sleep time, but having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom is not great. If this happens repeatedly, it can negatively affect your sleep quality and daytime energy.

To minimize interruptions, try reducing your fluid intake in the last hour before bed . This can help lower the chances of waking up during the night.

11

Good sleeping temperature

Image: Vin Jack

One way to guarantee uncomfortable sleep is a bedroom that’s either too cold or too hot . The ideal temperature can vary based on the individual, but most research suggests that sleeping in a cooler room—around 65 to 68 degrees—is optimal.

12

At least seven hours of sleep

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Each age group requires a different amount of sleep each night, but for most people, seven hours is the bare minimum to ensure proper rest. If you have a specific wake-up time, calculate a target bedtime that allows for at least seven hours of sleep . Give yourself extra time before bed to wind down and prepare for sleep whenever possible.

1

Boring, Oregon – "The Most Exciting Place to Live"

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With a name like Boring, Oregon, you’d expect residents to have a sense of humor. Their slogan flips that expectation, proudly calling Boring the most exciting place to live.

The town has even partnered with Dull, Scotland, to form an "International League of Dull Places."

2

Hell, Michigan – "Go to Hell"

Image: Brad Switzer

Hell, Michigan, has turned its unusual name into a marketing goldmine . The slogan "Go to Hell" is proudly displayed on signs, T-shirts, and souvenirs, attracting thousands of curious visitors each year.

Locals have fun with it, running events like Halloween festivals and themed shops.

3

Normal, Illinois – "Everything is just as it seems!"

Image: Zander Betterton

The city of Normal, Illinois, proudly uses the slogan "Everything is just as it seems!" as its official motto, playfully referencing the town’s unusual name .

The name Normal has historical roots: it comes from the French phrase école normale , which described a type of school for training teachers.

4

Peculiar, Missouri – "Where the ‘odds’ are with you"

Image: Brittney Butler

A town with a name that is the exact opposite of the previous entry, Peculiar, Missouri, has also decided to embrace its unusual identity with the slogan "Where the ‘odds’ are with you," adding a playful touch to it

The oddball branding draws curious travelers, and the town celebrates its peculiarity with local events and merchandise.

5

Nothing, Arizona – "All for Nothing"

Image: Christoph von Gellhorn

Nothing, Arizona, an unincorporated community with an ironic name, became known for the phrase "All for Nothing." While not an official slogan, it reflects the determination of residents who built lives in a place with almost no amenities.

The phrase captures both humor and grit, giving the tiny settlement an identity that can be hard to forget.

6

Superior, Wisconsin – "Living up to our name"

Image: Tom Barrett

Superior, Wisconsin, sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, and its slogan, "Living up to our name," highlights both geography and civic pride .

It’s a confident statement that sticks in visitors’ minds. The town blends natural beauty with historical significance, and the slogan reinforces that it considers itself a cut above the rest.

7

Happy, Texas – "The town without a frown"

Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández

Happy, Texas, took its cheerful name and ran with it . Its slogan, "The Town Without a Frown," spreads positivity and conveys a sense of friendliness throughout the community.

The motto has become a source of local pride, turning a small Panhandle town into a feel-good stop that lives up to its sunny reputation.

8

Gas, Kansas – "Don’t pass gas, stop and enjoy it"

Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev

Gas, Kansas, leans fully into its unusual name with a slogan that makes travelers laugh every time . Located in Allen County, this small town has become a roadside favorite thanks to its cheeky pun.

Rather than shy away from the obvious joke, Gas celebrates it, featuring the motto on signs and even postcards.

9

Lake City, Iowa: "Everything but a lake"

Image: Shawn Schroeder

Lake City, Iowa, proudly uses the slogan "Everything but a Lake." The phrase humorously acknowledges the irony behind the town’s name, since there’s no actual lake within its limits . Despite this, the motto highlights that Lake City has plenty to offer in other ways.

The town’s name was inspired by another town in Illinois, yet Lake City has successfully carved out its own character.

10

Show Low, Arizona - "Named by the turn of a card"

Image: Gerard Albanell

Show Low owes its unusual name to a high-stakes poker game played between two ranchers who couldn’t agree on who would claim the land. The decision came down to a single rule: whoever drew the lowest card would win, and from that moment, the town became known as Show Low.

Even today, Show Low highlights its origin story in tourism and branding, proudly using the phrase "Named by the turn of a card."