But in the nine years before Drake struck oil, in 1859, at least five-sixths of that whale oil-illuminating market disappeared, thanks to fatal competitors, chiefly oil and gas made from coal, to which the whalers had not been paying attention.
Maar in de negen jaar dat Drake olie ontdekte in 1859, was minstens vijf-zesde van de olie-verlichtingsmarkt verdwenen, dankzij felle concurrentie van met name olie en gas uit steenkool, waar de walvisvaarders niet op hadden gelet.