# "THE LAST TEN FEET" 1950s OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY / OIL EXPLORATION DOCUMENTARY BY ESSO 51864

“The Last Ten Feet” is a circa 1940 black-and-white presentation by oil and gas manufacturer Esso and the Oil Industry Information Committee. “All that the average motorist sees of the American oil industry is the ten feet of hose leading from the service station gasoline pump to his car. This is the story behind those last ten feet,” a card tells us at mark 00:47. This film chronicles the vital role of the oil industry in shaping modern American life, portraying it as a story of innovation, risk, and progress. From its origins in 1859 with the first oil strike in Titusville, Pennsylvania, the industry has evolved into a massive network involving millions of workers and complex technologies. It highlights how oil fuels transportation, agriculture, and industry, supporting both civilian life and national defense. The film details the processes of exploration, drilling, refining, and distribution, emphasizing the scientific advancements and conservation practices that maximize efficiency and output. It also showcases the wide array of petroleum-based products—from fuels to synthetic rubber and cosmetics—made possible through ongoing research. Ultimately, it presents oil not just as a resource, but as a symbol of American ingenuity, teamwork, and economic strength. 0:00 – The film begins with music and introduces the theme of oil as a cornerstone of American progress. 0:56 – Americans rely on gasoline daily, symbolizing how deeply oil is tied to national growth and…

- Kind: Documentary
- Genres: Documentary, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/51864TheLastTenFeet)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/51864TheLastTenFeet?play=1)