In 1910, Dr. Walter O. Snelling, a chemist and explosives expert for the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was contacted to investigate vapors coming from a gasoline tank vent of a newly purchased Ford Model T. Dr. Snelling filled a glass jug with the gasoline from the Ford Model T and discovered on his way back to the lab that volatile vapors were forming in the jug, causing its cork to repeatedly pop out.
began experimenting with these vaporous gases to find methods to control and hold them.
After dividing the gas into its liquid and gaseous components, he
learned that propane was one component of the liquefied gas mixture.
soon learned that this propane component could be used for lighting, metal cutting, and cooking.
That discovery marked the birth of the propane industry.
The Growth of an Industry
Dr. Snelling and colleagues established the American Gasol Co., the first
commercial marketer of propane.
Dr. Snelling sold his propane patent for $50,000 to Frank Phillips, the founder of