In part one of our natural gas history series, we look at key early milestones — from discovery to the first innovations in gas delivery.
Natural gas was first discovered in the U.S. in 1775 near what’s now Charleston, West Virginia. The first known well came later in 1821, drilled in Fredonia, New York, where gas was used to light nearby homes and shops.
In the absence of pipelines, gas was initially transported using “pump logs” — hollowed-out wooden logs joined together to carry it short distances. As more communities began using gas, one major challenge was uneven flow, which led to unreliable lighting. Around 1825, the first gas pressure regulators were invented to fix this — stabilizing pressure and making gas delivery far more consistent. This innovation helped fuel broader public acceptance of natural gas as a reliable energy source.
Toward the late 1800s, pipeline systems began replacing pump logs, expanding natural gas use beyond local areas and laying the groundwork for widespread distribution in the next century.
Key early milestones:
• 1775: Natural gas discovered near Charleston, WV
• 1821: First U.S. natural gas well drilled in Fredonia, NY
• Transported using wooden “pump logs” in early years
• c.1825: First gas pressure regulators invented to stabilize flow
• Late 1800s: Early pipelines enable broader distribution