Oil shale was one of the first sources of mineral oil used by humans.[4] In the 10th century, the Arabic physician Masawaih al-Mardini (Mesue the Younger) first described a method of extracting oil from "some kind of bituminous shale".[5] It was also reported to have been used in Switzerland and Austria in the early 14th century.[6] In 1596, the personal physician of Frederick I, Duke of Württemberg wrote of its healing properties.[7] Shale oil was used to light the streets of Modena, Italy at the turn of the 18th century.[7] The British Crown granted a patent in 1694 to three persons who had "found a way to extract and make great quantities of pitch, tarr and oyle out of a sort of stone."[7][8][9] Later sold as Betton's British Oil, the distilled product was said to have been "tried by diverse persons in Aches and Pains with much benefit."[10] Modern shale oil extraction industries were established in France during the 1830s and in Scotland during the 1840s.[11] The oil was used as fuel, as a lubricant and lamp oil; the Industrial Revolution had created additional demand for lighting.