The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1819-1880
American petroleum engineer who pioneered a new method of oil drilling. In his early years, Drake was a jack-of-all-trades, working as a hotel clerk, railway express agent, and conductor before finding a position with a Pennsylvania oil company. While there, he studied the use of cable tools in salt-drilling, and came to the conclusion that the same method could be used to drill for oil. Drake pioneered the use of an iron pipe in drilling, which kept the bore hole from filling up. He was the first to strike petroleum at its source, at a depth of 69 feet (21 m). His work led to oildrilling expeditions around the globe, and to the development of petroleum engineering.