A few megaseconds ago, when we were discussing the possible origins of the 42 gal oil barrel, I posted a link that said it originated in this mid-nineteenth century oil field. Coopers made 50 gal barrels because they fit the horse-drawn wagons. An allowance was made for the evaporation of light fractions and for leakage, namely 8 gal, thus leaving 42 gal. I don't know if that was true; I don't go back that far. But it makes a plausible story in my estimation.
Jim "Joseph B. Reid" wrote: .... > You have lived too long in a metric country. As a result you have got your > measurement history upside down. The modern petroleum industry started in > Pennsylvania in 1858, long before the metric system received any general > interest from Americans. The 42 US gallon barrel dates from that early > period. I have no doubt that the 55 gallon oil drum is also American. > American oil companies have always, and still do, dominated the oil patch. .... -- Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!" James R. Frysinger, CAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/ 10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Charleston, SC 29407 phone/FAX: 843.225.6789
