Edwin Drake was an American businessman and the first American to successfully drill for oil commercially. His contribution to the oil industry led him to be called the “Father of the Petroleum Industry,” although whether he deserved the title or not is still debated. He was known as “Colonel Drake” to his employers. His methods of extracting oil were thought to be obscure, and he was jeered by many who called him “Crazy Drake” and named his well “Drake’s Folly.” However, a determined Drake was not deterred by the discouraging townspeople or the lack of funds. After struggling against various odds for more than a year, he succeeded in his endeavor. The event that followed was called the “Pennsylvania Oil Rush.” His technology and principles are still used for drilling oil wells and have revolutionized oil extraction and the petroleum industry.