The Global Propane Connection: Part 1
The first part of our series on propane sets the scene - uncovering the journey of propane from its accidental discovery to its role as a global force powering progress and innovation. We will dig into different aspects of this story in future articles.
What do a chemist’s failed experiment, a quiet revolution in rural America, and cutting-edge drone technology have in common? Propane—a fuel that quietly connects the world in ways few people realize.
It began in the sleepy town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1910. Walter O. Snelling, a chemist and explosives expert, was investigating complaints about gasoline evaporating too quickly. His curiosity led him to experiment with compressing gasoline vapors—and what he discovered changed energy history. Among the vapors, Snelling identified propane, an invisible gas that could be stored in liquid form under pressure. While Snelling didn’t know it at the time, his work would spark a revolution in portable, versatile energy.
Propane’s first practical use came just two years later, when it was marketed for lighting and cooking in rural homes—especially those without access to electricity. Suddenly, families who relied on dim kerosene lamps could illuminate their homes with cleaner, brighter light. Over the next decade, propane moved from a curiosity to a commodity, with innovative uses emerging across the country. By the 1920s, it was powering stoves, heating homes, and becoming a key tool for rural America.
Fast-forward to the 1940s, and propane had already begun shaping industries in ways that few fuels could match. During World War II, it became indispensable in agriculture, fueling crop dryers and heating barns. This era cemented propane’s place as a workhorse of modern progress—quietly efficient, endlessly portable, and versatile enough to fuel everything from tractors to hospital heating systems.
Today, propane remains as relevant as ever. It’s powering barbecues in suburban backyards, heating greenhouses in Iceland, and driving buses through congested city streets in India. And it all started with Snelling’s accidental discovery—a moment that turned a chemist’s frustration into a global energy phenomenon.
But propane’s story doesn’t end with its past. In the next installment of The Global Propane Connection, we’ll explore the countless ways this fuel keeps the wheels of modern life turning. From the fields of Iowa to the bustling streets of Europe, propane is much more than a flame—it’s the quiet force behind progress.
Until then, please stop into our C-store or connect with a High Plains team member to learn how we bring the power of propane to Plainview. We’re always excited to talk propane!
