Van Syckel, Samuel
Samuel Van Syckel (1842- ), an oil buyer and shipper, built the first successful major oil pipeline in the U.S. in 1865. Constructed in Pennsylvania, the pipeline was 7 miles (11.27 km) in length and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in diameter; it extended from his oil plant to a railway station. Van Syckel was motivated by the high prices for oil transportation by wagon caused by a monopoly of the Teamsters (a labour union) in the Oil Creek region of Pennsylvania. The pipeline moved about 2000 barrels per day,outcompeting the Teamsters. Though the Teamsters destroyed the pipeline, Van Syckel re-built it and hired "pipeline protectors". The monopoly ended and pipelines became the major method of oil transportation.
Further Readings
Energy Timeline (EnergyQuest California Energy Commission)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (teamsters.org)
