Gasoline Additives - When and Why

Additives have been used commercially in the United States (U.S.) since 1923 to enhance the performance of motor gasoline or to solve deficiencies. As time has passed, new additives have appeared and old additives have disappeared. A review of the technical literature and oil industry periodicals was undertaken to determine when an additive was introduced and by what company. A description of the benefits provided or problem solved by the use of each additive is also presented. This paper provides a historical record based on published literature of when, why, and by whom gasoline additives were first used.