Erle P. Halliburton
Erle Palmer Halliburton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date near Henning, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | October 13, 1957 (aged 65) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Contributions to oil field services, founder of Halliburton Company, founder of Southwest Air Fast Express |
| Notable work | Oil well cementing technique patent, Zero Halliburton aluminum suitcases |
Erle Palmer Halliburton (September 22, 1892 – October 13, 1957) was a prominent American entrepreneur known for his contributions to oil field services.
Early life
Halliburton was born near Henning, Tennessee to Lou Emma (Cothran) and Edwin Graves Halliburton. Following the death of his father when he was 12 years old, he left home at 14 to provide for his family. In his early years, he gained practical experience operating heavy machinery such as steam cranes and locomotives. Subsequently, he held a sales position in New York.
Business career
Prior to the United States entering World War I, Halliburton served in the United States Navy, where he acquired engineering skills aboard ships. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1915, he relocated to California’s oil fields to utilize his technical knowledge. His inventive methods eventually caused friction with his employer Almond Perkins, whom Halliburton later acknowledged for offering significant career opportunities by both employing and dismissing him.
Moving to Duncan, Oklahoma, Halliburton developed and secured a patent for an innovative oil well cementing technique that enhanced well control and casing support. In 1919, he established the New Method Oil Well Cementing Company in Duncan, which was renamed Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company by 1922 and later became known as the Halliburton Company starting in 1961.
In addition to his oil industry ventures, Halliburton founded Southwest Air Fast Express, which was eventually acquired by American Airlines. He also designed aluminum suitcases that are currently manufactured under the Zero Halliburton brand.
Halliburton was honored with induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1957. He passed away that same year in Los Angeles at the age of 65.
Private life
Halliburton was married to Vida C. Taber Halliburton, and together they had five children: Erle P., Jr., David, Zola Catherine, Vida Jessie, and Ruth Lou. He was also related as a cousin to the adventure author Richard Halliburton.
Further reading
- Kenny A. Franks, The Oklahoma Petroleum Industry (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1980)
- Kenny A. Franks, Paul F. Lambert, and Carl N. Tyson, Early Oklahoma Oil: A Photographic History, 1859–1936 (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1981)
- J. Evetts Haley, Erle P. Halliburton: Genius with Cement (Duncan, Okla.: Privately printed, 1959)
External links
- Yearbook portrait of Erle Halliburton, Los Angeles, 1935. Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive (Collection 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.