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Born on July 8, 1839, in Richford, New York, Rockefeller began his career as an assistant bookkeeper at the age of 16. His initial foray into the world of business included savvy investments and partnerships commencing at age 20. Although many of his associates were linked to the Freemasons, there is no evidence that Rockefeller himself was a member. His true impact on the oil industry began when he founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870, which quickly grew to dominate the market.
By 1900, Rockefeller controlled about 90% of all petroleum production in the United States. His company was not only pivotal in oil refining but also instrumental in the invention and popularization of gasoline, crucial for the burgeoning automobile industry alongside figures like Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie.