On January 10, 1901, a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas produced an enormous gusher of crude oil, coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the start of the American oil industry. Petroleum, which until that time had been used in the U.S. primarily as a lubricant and in kerosene for lamps, would become the main fuel source for new inventions such as cars and airplanes; coal-powered forms of transportation including ships and trains would also convert to the liquid fuel. On the negative side it led to the depletion of the ozone layer and the planet’s climate nightmare. It also gave Texas worldwide exposure and gifted us the following:
- Arguably the worst current U.S. Senator and wimpiest sub-human being on the planet.
- The mystery of “Who shot J.R.”
- A “Gun Nut” Governor who thinks he’s in 1836.
- The greatest Rapper of all-time: Vanilla Ice!
- The perfect state to trade to Mexico for a Churro recipe.
- The state everyone should want to visit…never.
Notable Exceptions: Visiting my Granddaughter Emily in Cypress, Tony Scales in San Antonio or Vera’s Backyard Barbecue in Brownsville.