Fuel for Thought: Which Came First - Diesel or Gas?

Ryan Meyer, Energy Procurement Specialist

To answer that question, we must first look at the history of diesel and gasoline to figure out which one truly came first.

A Quick History of Gas

The history of gasoline varies by region, but one common thread in the narratives is that it began as a byproduct of refining paraffin and later kerosene. Initially considered useless, gasoline gained value with the invention of the internal combustion engine and early automobiles. Most sources typically mark 1892 as the point when it was first recognized as a viable fuel source.

• 1950s – Gasoline begins to be refined with octane ratings, and lead is added (tetraethyl lead) to improve engine performance and reduce knocking.

• 1970s – Unleaded gasoline is introduced after the health risks of lead become widely recognized.

• 1996 – The U.S. officially bans leaded gasoline for on-road vehicles; global phase-out follows in the years after.

• Early 2000s – Ethanol-blended gasoline becomes common, promoting renewable energy and extending oil supplies.

• Today – Multiple gasoline formulations exist, each with specialized additives to improve engine performance, emissions, and fuel efficiency.

A Quick History of Diesel

Diesel fuel, also known as distillate fuel oil, shares a similar history with gasoline. Both were originally byproducts of the refining process used to produce kerosene and paraffin for early oil lamps. Although neither gasoline nor diesel were initially considered useful, they eventually found purpose with the advent of the internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel gained prominence thanks to German inventor Rudolf Diesel and his compression-ignition engine design. While various fuels were tested, distillate fuel oil prevailed due to its greater stability and lower volatility. From there, both diesel engines and the fuel itself continued to evolve into what we know today.

Drumroll... So, Which Came First?

Since both gasoline and diesel are byproducts of the process of refinement to get kerosene, this indicates that they were discovered at roughly the same time. The same can be said for their use as fuels for internal combustion engines as both diesel and gasoline were used to power early engine models in the late 1890s. However, when it comes to their use and popularity, gasoline comes out ahead as the diesel motor took some time to further enhance and refine the design before it became a commercial success. Gasoline rose to prominence in 1892 while diesel took a little longer with some sources pointing to 1893 when it was first used and recognized as a fuel source. So technically Gasoline wins due to gaining popularity more quickly, but both were discovered at roughly the same time.