12 
BULLETIN 102, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, 
It is not intended, of course, to throve oil production into an un- 
favorable light by thus focussing attention upon its gambling aspect ; 
to exert onerous effort (such as oil field development demands) under 
the incentive of rich possibilities of reward is a straightforward and 
legitimate business activity. It is frequently questioned whether oil 
development could be sustained without prospect of large pecuniary 
gain . 1 The point is merely made that under present circumstances 
petroleum production is dependent upon this psychological aspect, 
acutely developed, which is both subtle and intangible, yet pro- 
foundly important in conditioning the output; this factor must be 
reckoned with in contemplating the course of the resource develop- 
ment . 2 
1 It is interesting to note an English view of this aspect of production : “ The large 
producers and refineries, appreciating the value of the speculative oil seeker, foster 
rather than discourage his activities. He absolves them from considerable preliminary 
expense in drilling and proving a new territory. Their work is reduced to purchasing 
and transporting the raw material when it has been tapped. It is a development which 
is peculiar to the United States. In other oil-producing countries such a tendency is 
not supported.” (Frederick A, Talbot, The Oil Conquest of the World, London, 1914, 
p. 58.) 
2 The distinctive “ color ” of oil production can perhaps be effectively conveyed by 
means of a number of quotations : 
“ The great army of men who produce our oil for us are in many cases of the 
rough-and-ready sort, but they are not penny-splitters and they are not hold-up men. 
Few of them have diplomas to exhibit, and their English may not be of the best ; but 
they know how to do things with their hands, feet, and heads — and I do not believe that 
there is a more loyal or a more likable bunch of men in the world.” H. L. Doherty. 
“ * * * the producing branch of the industry * * * is a picturesque blend- 
ing of temperament, personality, and psychology with all the mingled burlesque and 
common sense that one would expect from unorganized energy and enthusiasm. Pro- 
duction is largely the outgrowth of the sporadic efforts of many ‘ wildcatters ’ of many 
moods and varying capabilities.” H. L. Wood in Sinclair’s Magazine, October, 1917, 
p. 31. 
“ It is the speculative character of the work that appeals to the American. He is a 
born gambler, delights in juggling with fortune ; with him speculation is second nature. 
In the quest for oil he has unlimited capacity to gratify his desires to become rich 
quickly.” This last is by an English writer, Frederick A. Talbot, The Oil Conquest of 
the World, London, 1914. 
“ Let us consider for a moment the vital question of drilling experimental wells — 
‘ wildcatting ’ — standing at the base of the discovery of new oil fields, wil hout which 
the industry would dry up. For every field discovered there are hundreds — perhaps 
thousands — of experimental, worthless holes drilled — ‘ wildcat ’ wells. The ‘ wild- 
catter ’ is moved to take his long hazard, his big chance, his desperate gamble, through 
the highly speculative considerations surrounding his work — the hope of a great re- 
ward ; realizing, however, all the time that the chances are ten to one against his suc- 
cess * * * clearly, the practical course is to leave to the thousands of men who 
are willing when left free of interference and free to act upon their own volition, the 
opportunity and the privilege of making the venture — taking the chance. Most of them 
will lose. The few who gain will deserve their reward. The sum total of their efforts 
will be for the world at large. * * * As a rule, large companies or corporations 
have not been the discoverers of new pools or fields, except in very rare instances. 
They are generally found by individuals or small groups of tenderfeet at the game 
* * *.” Instances taken at random from an article, “ The future of the oil in- 
dustry,” purporting to represent the views of the “ leading men of the industry,” as 
ascertained by a questionnaire, published in the Semiannual Oil Industry Review, The 
Evening Post, New York, Mar. 2, 1918. 
“ * * * The optomistic wildcatter, that virile pioneer of the oil field who cheer- 
fully takes the gambler’s chance in the hope of reaping a reward commensurate with 
the risk.” M. L. Requa, War Service of the Petroleum Industry, Oildom, April, 1918, 
p. 214. 
