Gasoline was initially discarded
Edwin Drake dug the first oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859 and distilled the oil to produce kerosene for lighting. Although other petroleum products, including gasoline, were also produced in the distillation process, Drake had no use for the gasoline and other products, so he discarded them. It wasn't until 1892 with the invention of the automobile that gasoline was recognized as a valuable fuel. By 1920, there were 9 million vehicles on the road powered by gasoline, and service stations selling gasoline were opening around the country. Gasoline is the fuel used by most of the light-duty vehicles in the United States.
Source: Stock photography (copyrighted)
Gasoline octane and lead levels increased over time
By the 1950s, cars were becoming bigger and faster. Gasoline octane increased, and lead was added to improve engine performance.
Leaded gasoline was eventually taken off the U.S. market
Unleaded gasoline was introduced in the 1970s when health problems from lead became apparent. In the United States, leaded gasoline for use in on-road vehicles was completely phased out as of January 1, 1996. Most other countries have also stopped the use of leaded gasoline in vehicles.
Ethanol is added to gasoline
In 2005, the U.S. Congress enacted a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that set minimum requirements for the use of renewable fuels, including ethanol, in motor fuels. In 2007, the RFS renewable fuel use targets were set to rise steadily to a level of 36 billion gallons by 2022. In 2014, about 13 billion gallons of ethanol were added to the gasoline consumed in the United States. In most areas of the country, the retail gasoline that is now sold is about 10% ethanol by volume.