Gasoline Patent Print, Industrial Wall Decor, Gift for Car Enthusiast Mechanic
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This print features the original, authentic illustration submitted to the U.S. Patent Office by chemist William M. Burton in 1912. The detailed technical drawing showcases the early machinery that quite literally fueled the modern world. It’s the perfect conversation piece for car enthusiasts, history buffs, engineers, and anyone who appreciates vintage industrial aesthetics. Before the 20th century, gasoline was actually treated as a useless, highly flammable byproduct of oil refining—often dumped into rivers because everyone was only interested in kerosene for lamps. However, as the automobile industry exploded in the early 1900s, oil companies faced a massive crisis: traditional distillation could only extract a meager 20% to 25% of gasoline from a barrel of crude oil, creating a massive fuel shortage threat. This invention developed a revolutionary "thermal cracking" process. By applying intense heat (up to 400 degrees C) and moderate pressure to the heavy, leftover residue of crude oil, they successfully broke down complex molecules into lighter gasoline. Granted as U.S. Patent No. 1,049,667 on January 7, 1913, this exact invention:
Note that the patent uses the original name for gasoline which was "gasolene". The image is printed on professional, acid free, archival matte fine art paper giving the image rich and vibrant colors. |
