Watch This Video on the Inventor Who Put Lead in Gasoline

Recently, I went down an internet rabbit hole about why gasoline once had lead in it and how it got removed. In my searches, I found this video on inventor Thomas Midgley Jr., who not only invented leaded gasoline to combat engine knocking but also synthesized chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Midgley’s work transformed cars and transportation: cars were more reliable, more convenient, and more comfortable as a result of his work. However, in doing so, he also invented a gasoline that was dangerous to both humans and the environment. For better or worse, he raised the bar for what the automobile could be and do.

With CFCs, Midgely made air conditioning and refrigeration more commercially viable and affordable when it was not, improving the quality of life, food safety, and industrial processes for Americans. Again, however, he also invented a chemical that was bad for the environment.

Midgley was not immune to the dangers of his inventions, as he himself suffered from symptoms of lead poisoning and had to take a break to recover.

Check out this video on Midgley and his inventions, which, despite their benefits, have unfortunately also caused damage to human life and the environment.