Oil-Crazy

By 1930, America's oil bonanza is in full swing. Early gushers in California and Texas are joined by huge fields centered in Oklahoma. These lie beneath former Indian lands, which had only recently been opened to settlers.

Millions of autos need gasoline, but industry uses an equal amount. Aircraft are becoming more common, and more reliable. Some are now being made of aluminum, rather than fabric-covered wood.

With the airplanes come people willing to pilot them across greater distances. One of these is young Charles Lindbergh, attracted by the $25,000 prize being offered for the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris.
California and Texas oil, 1920s

  Gusher
The first spectacular 'gusher' is drilled in South Texas, with a million barrels shooting skyward in the first week. Game on. The rush to exploit this field results in a forest of derricks, practically on top of one another. Early gas tanks are located under the driver's seat, which makes filling them a challenge (center top). Meanwhile, Lindbergh is able to claim his prize (top right). 

Tulsa, and Oklahoma oil, 1920s map

  The Next Big Rush
Areas shown in BRIGHT GREEN above indicate the location of known oil fields by 1910. Although the oil rushes in Texas and Oklahoma explode at almost the same moment, the sheer size of the Oklahoma fields soon results in Tulsa becoming the oil capital of America. In Texas, oil is sometimes discovered beneath towns already in existence, resulting in rigs being erected right between the houses (lower left). Substantial discoveries are also made in the Los Angeles basin of southern California.


Airlines and Ford Trimotor, 1920s

  Making it a Business
When American Airlines is formed in 1930, it combines the operations of 82 smaller existing operators. Like other carriers, its main revenue source is airmail and cargo delivery. Other early airlines include Delta, Western, Eastern, Northwest and Pan American. For passenger routes, most use the Ford Tri-Motor, which boasts nine comfy passenger seats, with big windows (center).