An Infinite Supply of Finite Resources Eighteen months before the Civil War began, a new source of energy
would burst on the scene—crude oil. From crude oil came refined
liquid energy that, when combined with fire, changed civilization by
orders of magnitude never before seen in human history. Petroleum
products carried exponentially more energy punch than wood or
coal, without the bulk or weight, and could be transported and stored
relatively easily.
Liquid energy’s origin dated back to when sea levels were higher,
the Earth’s climate was warmer, and all of the planet’s dry land lay on
one supercontinent. The formation of liquid energy required millions
of years along with other inconceivable geological events. First, or-
ganic matter had to be buried faster than it could decay. Next, the mat-
ter had to be deep enough, but not too deep, so it would cook slowly
and its organic molecules would not burn off. Finally, an impermeable
layer had to form and seal in this liquefied substance. Liquid energy
was precious—and it was limited.
In the nineteenth century, pictures of crude oil gushing out of the
ground gave the illusion of just the opposite—an unlimited supply.
In 9 9 , the energy equivalent of one barrel invested in extracting oil
returned a thousand barrels.^ The net energy unleashed on markets ( 999
barrels), was akin to strapping the economy to a rocket ship. Crude oil
was labeled “black gold.” Its refined products soon powered factories,
manufactured steel, generated electricity, built new infrastructure, and
produced America’s food.
Refined crude oil (along with natural gas as a by-product) remapped
how societies operated and how people lived. It became irreplaceable
on the front lines of battlefields. Served as justification for waging war.
Filled store aisles with consumer products. Provided medical supplies
and drugs. Transported mothers to hospitals to give life, and dug their
graves when they died.
Oil’s footprint in food production had no parallel. Diesel- and
gasoline-powered internal combustion engines in tractors and harves-
ters became the centerpieces of agriculture, and natural gas became
the feedstock for manufacturing synthetic ammonia under high heat
and pressure to produce nitrogen fertilizer. Liquid energy powered the
manufacture of pesticides and chemicals, drilled high-output wells
for water before generating the electricity to pump the water to the