"Patterson realized that the reason for this [lead contamination] lay with a regrettable Ohio inventor named Thomas Midgley, Jr."
-Bill Bryson, author of A Short History of Nearly Everything
-Bill Bryson, author of A Short History of Nearly Everything
Thomas Midgely Jr.
Thomas Midgely Jr. was an inventor working for General Motors Research Corporation. Midgely was attempting to reduce engine "knock" in motor vehicles when he happened across the chemical compound tetraethyl lead. While the chemical significantly reduced engine juddering, it was extremely toxic to humans, as well as being an air pollutant. Although lead was known to be very dangerous, Midgley and General Motors decided that profit was more important than people's health and safety, or the preservation of the environment.
It is clear Midgley started a chain of events leading to the mass production of lead in the US. However, Midgley was not the only one responsible for poisoning our country. In 1923, General Motors joined forces with two other major corporations: Du Pont and Standard Oil of New Jersey. Together they created Ethyl Gasoline Corporation and immediately began marketing Ethyl gasoline as anti-knock fuel.
It is clear Midgley started a chain of events leading to the mass production of lead in the US. However, Midgley was not the only one responsible for poisoning our country. In 1923, General Motors joined forces with two other major corporations: Du Pont and Standard Oil of New Jersey. Together they created Ethyl Gasoline Corporation and immediately began marketing Ethyl gasoline as anti-knock fuel.