Search

An essay is presented on 20th century Texas oil magnate Everette DeGolyer. It argues that DeGolyer was the true-to-life embodiment of the fictional Texas oilman J.E. Ewing portrayed in the U.S. television series "Dallas" in the late 20th century. It compares and contrasts DeGolyer with the character, explores the cultural popularity of oilmen, and the transformation of the U.S. oil industry and its relationship with politics and power during the 20th century.

The article discusses the petroleum industry, climate change, and politics as of June 2012 and how contemporary historians can establish a foundation for studying such subjects. The author examines what she calls U.S. attachment to petroleum-based energy and the implications it has upon the environment, the responses to climate change by the U.S. government, and the identification of historical turning points in the petroleum industry, politics, and public opinion. She examines the work of climate-change activist Bill McKibben.