Roberts Torpedo
Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
First successful device for increasing the flow of oil by setting off an explosion deep in a well. It was publicly demonstrated in 1865. The nitroglycerin was made .4 mile south of here, along Hammond Run.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Here near Hammond Run, one of the oil industry's boldest early innovations took shape: the exploding torpedo, publicly demonstrated in 1865, which used a charge set off deep inside a well to shatter rock and dramatically increase the flow of oil. The volatile nitroglycerin that powered it was manufactured a short distance to the south, a reminder of how dangerous this frontier of technology could be.
Why it matters
Well stimulation by controlled explosion was a foundational breakthrough in petroleum engineering, and versions of the idea still drive oil production today.
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Related people
- · Edward A. L. Roberts
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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