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SOCONY VACUUM OIL COMPANY

Founded in 1866, by Matthew Ewing and Hiram Bond Everest of Rochester, New York as the Vacuum Oil Company of Rochester, New York

Lubrication Oil was an accidental discovery while attempting to distill kerosene. Hiram Everest noted that the residue from the extraction was suitable as a lubricant. The product became popular for use in steam engines and the internal combustion engines. Ewing later sold his interest in the company to Everest, and Everest carried on the company.

In 1879, the Vacuum Oil Company was acquired by the Standard Oil Company of New York, New York. It was at this point the company developed the Mobil trademark.

In 1899, the company was branded as "Mobilgas," and later "Mobiloil."

In 1911, the Standard Oil Company was broken up under there Sherman Antitrust Act. At this point the Vacuum Oil Company became an independent company again.

In 1931, the Socony Vacuum Oil Company merged with the Standard Oil Company. After the United States Government abandoned the company's attempts to prevent it. The company became the third largest oil company in the world, at the time. Everest was given a salary job as President, and remained with the company.

In 1955, the company became the Socony Mobil Oil Company.

In 1963, the company was re branded "Mobilgas," and subsequently as "Mobil."

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