This short video below discusses some interesting facts about ethanol; its production; how its better than gasoline for the environment; and how its also good for the farmers that grow the corn used in ethanol production. 

The History of Ethanol

Ethanol is not a new type of fuel developed only recently.  In fact, it has been used since the 1820’s.  In 1826, Samuel Morey developed an engine that ran on ethanol and turpentine.  This is considered by many to be the first real use of ethanol. 

In the 1850’s, ethanol was a major lighting fuel.  When the Civil War struck the United States, a liquor tax was placed on ethanol to raise money for the war.  The price of ethanol got so high that it could no longer compete with other fuels such as kerosene in lighting devices.  The production and consumption of ethanol dropped sharply because of this tax.  For years ethanol was seen as too expensive compared to other fuels.  That was until the tax was removed in 1906.

In 1908, Henry Ford designed his new car, the Model T, to run on a mixture of gasoline and alcohol.  Henry Ford envisioned ethanol as the fuel of the future.  His vision was to “build a vehicle affordable to the working family and powered by a fuel that would boost the rural farm economy.”

The prosperity of ethanol fuel continued during World War I, when the demand reached 50-60 million gallons per year.

Ethanol production took a big hit with the introduction of prohibition.  Ethanol was banned because it was considered liquor.  The only way ethanol could be sold was if it was mixed with petroleum.  Gasoline then became the main fuel of choice.  When prohibition ended in 1933, the ethanol market rose slightly.

After the high demand for ethanol during World War II, it was no longer needed for war materials, and thus there was a tremendous decrease in the usage of ethanol fuel. 

It wasn’t until the 1970’s that interest in ethanol was revived.  Embargos by major oil companies caused a gasoline shortage and almost overnight ethanol started to be used again. 

Since then, ethanol fuel has steadily increased.  The government encourages the use of ethanol fuel by offering tax benefits to producers. 

In 1988, ethanol began to be added to gasoline for the purpose of reducing carbon monoxide emissions. 

Today, the introduction of hybrid cars and other environment-friendly cars are becoming more necessary for two reasons:  One is the price of oil and gasoline has reached all time highs, thus forcing consumers to think twice about what type of car they buy.  The second is the safety of the environment.  Ethanol fuel greatly decreases emissions, which helps protect the environment.

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