Gulf Oil History
1909-1919
When the company that was to be known as Gulf was born in 1901 with
an oil discovery in Spindletop, Texas, the primary commercial fuel was
coal. By 1903, the age of mechanization had arrived and it was now up
to the petroleum industry to keep pace, for the age could not proceed
without it. Gasoline development, into which Gulf invested millions of
dollars, responded to advances in automotive technology to make the modern
motorcar possible. Within a dozen years of Spindletop, Gulf scored notable
firsts with the worlds first drive-in service station, complimentary
Gulf road maps and over water drilling at Ferry Lake. In 1917, the Gulfstream
went into World War I service, along with the rest of Gulf's tanker fleet.
1920-1949
Gulfpride - the World's Finest Motor Oil was manufactured and first marketed
in 1928 and by the early Thirties, Gulf was a major U.S. corporation.
In 1949, William Larimer Mellon, a founder and active head of Gulf for
45 years, died at 80, just 17 months after his retirement, as the company
moved into eighth place among the largest manufacturing concerns in the
United States.
1950-1975
As Gulf entered its second half-century, the needs became more diverse and technologically ever more sophisticated. By 1960, it was clear that Gulf's growth rate during the 1950s had been twice that of the United States as an economic entity. During the 1960s, Gulf mounted vigorous exploration, production and marketing programs including several new refineries, petrochemical and polyethylene plants, the construction of six mammoth tankers, a joint development with the Holiday Inns of America and the redesign of the Orange Disc to make it more clearly identifiable.
In 1975, Gulf was restructured into seven separate operating companies. By year's end, the Company had evaluated 48 of 82 Gulf of Mexico tracts acquired since 1972, resulting in seven major discoveries and nine less significant discoveries. Gulf ended its 75th year facing new patterns of relationships abroad, and prepared to devote increased attention to interests in the U.S. and Canada.
1975-Present
Today, thousands of service stations across the Northeastern United
States proudly fly the Gulf flag, carrying on the tradition of a quality
product line and friendly service. Gulf Oil Limited Partnership, now based
in Newton, Massachusetts is a wholesaler of refined petroleum products.
Gulf distributes motor fuels through a network of 1,800 Gulf branded
gas stations and service stations, as well as heating oil, diesel fuel
and kerosene. We are committed to providing products designed for a constantly
changing retail environment. From custom-blended detergent gasolines
to our high performance diesel fuel, Premium Dieselect, Gulf offers consumers
state-of-the-art solutions for their engine performance needs.