Abraham Gesner patented kerosene in 1855.

 

Canadian Geologist Abraham Gesner patented kerosene on March 27, 1855. Gesner's discovery of kerosene helped end the era of whale oil as a primary light source. Gesner distilled coal to produce a clear liquid that burned brighter and cleaner than oil in lamps. He named the liquid kerosene, which comes from the Greek word keroselaion, meaning "wax oil". Because kerosene was derived from coal, it was also called "coal oil". Gesner's other inventions compressed coal-dust briquettes, a process for asphalt road paving, and a machine that insulated electric wire.