Beech Tree News Network

Everyone remembers the Beverly Hillbillies.  The theme song is iconic.  You remember at the end where it says “black gold, Texas Tea”? Where exactly does that originate.  www.history.com says it all started with the Lucas Oil gusher on January 10, 1901.  This was the first major gusher of the Texas oil boom. 
Spindletop(the location of the gusher pictured) in Beaumont, Texas became the epicenter, generating 100,000 barrels a day and have ties to the Origins of both Chevron and Gulf Oil.  History.com describes the event:  “…a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas, produces an enormous gusher of crude oil, coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the advent of the American oil industry. The geyser was discovered at a depth of over 1,000 feet, flowed at an initial rate of approximately 100,000 barrels a day and took nine days to cap. Following the discovery, petroleum, which until that time had been used in the U.S. primarily as a lubricant and in kerosene for lamps, would become the main fuel source for new inventions such as cars and airplanes; coal-powered forms of transportation including ships and trains would also convert to the liquid fuel.”
The nickname originated in the 1930’s and ‘40’s but was made popular again with the mention in the Beverly Hillbillies theme song.  Striking oil (which in its natural state is black) is akin to striking gold-thus “black gold”.  Texas is the #1 state that is swimming in oil; thus the Texas part of the saying.  There’s also the nice tie-in to the TV show Dallas, but that’s not the main focus.  Texas is the nation’s largest center for oil, with more than 5 billion barrels of proven reserves. It is also home to 23 refineries, which add to the size of the sector. The oil and natural gas industry supports 24.3 percent of the state’s total economy, which ties with Wyoming for the nation’s largest share. The industry also is responsible for 14.3 percent of total employment in the state, both directly and indirectly, which is the third-highest percentage. In numbers, this represents nearly two million jobs -- the highest in the country.  Amazing what you can learn from www.msnbc.com , huh?
That takes care of the “black gold” and “Texas” parts.  But why the heck is tea brought into this? During my search, of which I’d gone too far when I reached a recipe for the drink tea, not exactly what I was looking for.  I don’t even drink tea.  I digress.  Texas Tea may refer to petroleum oil.  There’s actually Texas Tea Motor Oil.  It may also refer to petroleum, oil drilled from the earth.  So there you have it: A word-by-word breakdown of Black Gold Texas Tea.

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!