Lightning Torpedo Company

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Lightning Torpedo Company and truck. Lightning-Torpedo-Company.jpg
Lightning Torpedo Company and truck.

The Lightning Torpedo Company was an oil well shooting and operating company based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, during the 1930s and 1940s oil rush till the early 1950s. [1] [2] The company grew under the leadership of Francis "Tug" Irving, a prominent oil well shooter and operator in Oklahoma during that period. [3]

Contents

Background

The company was initially established as Lighter Torpedo Company in 1933, with Irving taking on the role of its manager. [1] [2] In July 1936, Irving purchased the company and rebranded it as Lightning Torpedo Company. [4]

Growth and expansion

Pouring Nitroglycerin into torpedo. Tug-Pouring -Torpedo.jpg
Pouring Nitroglycerin into torpedo.

The company expanded throughout Oklahoma and Texas. [3] [5] The company also manufactured its own nitroglycerin for use in shooting oil wells. [6] [7] The company was unique for oil industry in the region. The company ceased operations in June 1952 after the death of Tug Irving. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Sep 27, 1934, page 3 - The Oklahoma News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  2. 1 2 "corpInformation". www.sos.ok.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  3. 1 2 "Jun 15, 1935, page 9 - The Daily Oklahoman at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  4. "Sep 25, 1936, page 1 - Daily Law Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  5. "Jul 31, 1947, page 7 - The El Reno American at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  6. Rison, C.O. (1929-12-01). "Manufacture of Nitroglycerin and Use of High Explosives in Oil and Gas Wells". Transactions of the AIME. 82 (1): 240–312. doi:10.2118/929240-G. ISSN   0081-1696.
  7. "May 08, 1952, page 7 - The El Reno American at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  8. "May 29, 1952, page 44 - The Daily Oklahoman at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.