1 Introduction

1.1 Pre-modern history of Petroleum
1.2 Petroleum in North America
1.3 Development of Lubricants
1.4 Future Prospects

Preface :

Lubrication and the knowledge of lubricants not only are subjects of interest to all of us but they
are critical to the cost effective and reliability of machinery that is part of our daily lives. Our
world,, exploration of regions beyond our worlds, depends on mechanical devices that require
lubricating films. Whether in our homes or at work, whether knowingly or unknowingly, we all
need lubricants and some knowledge of lubrication. Fishing reels, vacuum cleaners, and lawn
mowers are among the devices that require lubrication. The following pictures show how
important the lubricant is !!

Personal lubricant can reduce friction between body parts during human sexual activity.

Flowrider. Without the water as the lubricant, it is impossible to create artificial surfing.

1.1 Premodern History of Petroleum

Although petroleum occurs, as its name indicates, among rocks in earth, it sometimes seeps to
the surface through fissures or is exposed by erosion. The existence of petroleum was known
to primitive man, since surface seepage, often sticky and thick, was obvious to anyone passing
by.

1.2 petroleum in North America

On the North American continent, petroleum seepages were undoubtedly known to the
aborigines, but the first known record of the substance was made by the  Franciscan Joseph
de la Roche D'Allion, who in 1629 crossed Niagara River from Canada and visited an area later
known as Cuba, New York. At this place, petroleum was collected by the Indians, who used it
medically and to bind pigments used in body adornments.

1.3 Development of Lubricants

During the period from 1850 to 1875, many men experienced with the products of petroleum
distillation than available, attempting to find uses for them, in addition to providing illumination.
Some of viscous materials were investigated as substitutes for the vegetable and animal oils
previously used for lubrication, mainly those derived from olives, rapeseed, whale, tallow, lard,
and other fixed oils.

As machinery has increased in complexity and applications have expanded to more severe
climatic conditions such as operation of gas and crude oil producing equipment in high altitude
aircraft.

1.4 Future Prospect

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig ablaze.