The Historical Origins of the Gas Industry

No history of the evolution of the gas industry would be complete without at least passing mention of some of the references in folklore, mythology, religion and literature to the existence of such things as will-o’-the-wisp, burning bushes, perpetual lights, and burning springs in ancient times. While the nature and composition of the gases that gave cause to these phenomena were not known in those days, there can be little dispute that the gases in question occurred naturally and were predominantly methane—in most instances they were probably seepages of natural gas accidentally ignited by lightning or by man.