Vacuum Oil Company
| Company type | Private (historically) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Petroleum |
| Founded | 1866 in Rochester, New York, United States |
| Founder | Matthew Ewing, Hiram Bond Everest |
| Fate | Merged with Standard Oil Company of New York in 1931 to form Socony-Vacuum |
| Headquarters | Rochester , United States |
| Products | Lubricants, petroleum products |
Vacuum Oil Company was a U.S.-based petroleum firm. Originally acquired by the initial Standard Oil, it later regained its autonomy before merging in 1931 with the Standard Oil Company of New York, creating Socony-Vacuum. This entity eventually became Mobil, which combined with Exxon in 1999 to establish ExxonMobil.
History
Established in 1866 in Rochester, New York by Matthew Ewing and Hiram Bond Everest, Vacuum Oil's lubricants were initially derived as residual products from kerosene refining. After purchasing Ewing's shares, Everest took full control of the company. In 1879, Vacuum Oil was absorbed by Standard Oil.
The "Mobiloil" brand was introduced in 1904 and officially trademarked in 1920. When Standard Oil was dissolved in 1911 due to the Sherman Antitrust Act, Vacuum Oil resumed its independent operations.
Despite resistance from regulatory authorities, Vacuum Oil merged with Standard Oil of New York (Socony) in 1931, forming Socony-Vacuum Corp, which ranked as the third-largest oil enterprise globally at that time.
In 1933, Socony-Vacuum partnered with Standard Oil of New Jersey to create the joint venture Standard Vacuum Oil Company ("Stanvac"), which operated across 50 nations in Asia, Oceania, and East Africa until its termination in 1962.
During the Second World War, Vacuum Oil's facilities located in occupied Poland employed forced labor sourced from Auschwitz subcamps.
The firm was rebranded as Socony Mobil Oil Company in 1955 and later became Mobil Oil Corporation in 1966 before shortening its name to Mobil Corporation.
Legal challenges
In 1887, Hiram Bond Everest and his son Charles M. Everest faced charges related to a conspiracy aimed at undermining Buffalo Lubricating Oil Co. After divesting a 75% stake to Standard Oil, they allegedly attempted to disrupt Buffalo's refinery activities and lure away skilled workers from Vacuum. Albert A. Miller, a former employee who joined Buffalo, was bribed to sabotage their plant, resulting in an explosion. Both Everests were convicted; however, there was insufficient proof linking their actions directly to Standard Oil's directives.
In 1907, Vacuum Oil along with Standard Oil, New York Central Railroad, and Pennsylvania Railroad were indicted for breaching Inter-State Commerce regulations. Vacuum Oil was accused of transporting 228 railcars of petroleum products to Standard Oil under illegal freight rates through these railroads.
Presidents
- Charles M. Everest, 1906–1917
- Edward Prizer, 1917–1924
- George P. Whaley, 1924–1930