02/02/2026
On February 2, 1923, the first leaded gasoline (branded “ethyl gas”) was sold in Dayton, Ohio. Chemist Thomas Midgley Jr. worked with Charles Kettering (of Dayton/NCR fame) to develop the additive that reduced engine knock.
Only later did science catch up, revealing the serious health consequences of leaded fuel and changing how we think about progress, responsibility, and impact.
Progress isn’t just about discovery—it’s about learning, adapting, and doing better.
