Vacuum Oil Company was an American oil company known for its Gargoyle 600-W Steam Cylinder Oil. Vacuum Oil merged with the Standard Oil Co of New York, commonly known as Socony Oil to form Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, and is now a part of ExxonMobil.

Vacuum Oil was founded in 1866 by Matthew Ewing and Hiram Bond Everest, of Rochester, New York. Lubrication oil was an accidental discovery while attempting to distil kerosene. Everest noted the residue from the extraction was suitable as a lubricant. Soon after, the product became popular for use in steam engines and internal-combustion engines. Vacuum was bought by Standard Oil in 1879.

It originated the Mobil trademark in 1899 (as "Mobilgas;" "Mobiloil" came later). When Standard Oil was broken up in 1911 due to the Sherman Antitrust Act, Vacuum became an independent company again.

Vacuum Oil and Standard Oil of New York (Socony) merged in 1931, after the government gave up attempts to prevent it. The newly-combined entity, Socony-Vacuum Corp., was the world's third-largest oil company.

In 1955, the company became Socony Mobil Oil Company. In 1963, it was renamed Mobilgas, later shortened to Mobil.

Byrd Flies North

Aero Digest - May, 1926 - Page 257

Beneath a fluttering banner portraying the American eagle perched on top of the world, Lieut. Commander Richard E. Byrd and the forty-seven volunteers accompanying him started northward.

With the advance of spring, Commander Byrd hastened his departure in order to make his flights before the mists and fogs make more difficult the accomplishment of his purpose.

Brave men, these! Facing unknown perils to further the cause of science. Daring the uncertainties of arctic flying to prove the value of aeronautics in another field—as a means of unlocking the untold secrets of the frozen north. Flying confidently under their symbol of success, no ship ever carried a more enthusiastic company than the Chantier. The spirit of adventure and patriotism filled leader as well as mess-boy.

With Commander Byrd, who is a profound student and inventor of many air navigation instruments, are the following experts: Floyd Bennett, pilot-mechanic; Lieut. G. 0. Noville, of the Vacuum Oil Company, flight and fuel engineer; reserve pilot, R. C. Ortel; mechanic, L. M. Peterson and T. H. Kincaid, engine expert from the Wright Aeronautical Corporation.