Originally posted by unDummy:
[QB] Historical Facts(borrowed from wayback machine since synlube website was down)
1913
Friedrich Bergius in Germany develops Hydrogenation process for production of synthetic oil from coal dust
Hydrogenation rang a bell. Synthetic (hydrogenated) vegetable oils were introduced here in the 20s and came into widespread use during WW II. The cold pressed linseed oils (flaxseed) and others, including lard and butter were replaced by the "refined" oils made from corn, soybeans, cottonseeds and lately, the genetically modified rape seed (Canola).
The first cases of Type II diabetes appeared exactly at the same time, increasing at a per capita rate in lockstep with the increased use of synthetic vegetable oils and margarines.
Synthetics for cars, not humans.
A note about the synthetics fuels from coal. I read that the patents and rights had been purchased by a large oil interest but can't remember the particulars.
Without a doubt, liquefied natural gas would be a tremendous ecological improvement as a fuel if mass marketed yet much of it is returned to the earth (Alaska) or burned off (Afrika and other locations.
Just some random thoughts.