A LOOK BACK
Archives

By MARLAN DOWNEY

Review Revealed the Observer's Mind

Editor's note: Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Co., formed in 1901, held the rights to the immense Osage Oil Lease in Oklahoma. Founder H.V. Foster split the huge parcel into hundreds of subleases which were farmed out to a large number of smaller companies, many of which became extremely successful and also enriching ITI. ITI also made huge discoveries in Oklahoma City and Seminole. ITI was sold for $64 million to Cities Service Oil Co. in Bartlesville, Okla. in 1935.

Perhaps a review of the past may make us better geologists in the future.

In 1953, the Journal of Geology published a review by M. King Hubbert of the first publication of "Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting," by Milton Dobrin. The grudging compliments by Hubbert provide insights of the reviewer, as much as to Dobrin's great book.

"As to breadth, the book does in fact cover fairly comprehensively all the major subdivisions of geophysical prospecting. The style is facile, and almost every page contains citations of original literature, often with reproductions of original figures.

"Throughout, the text is replete with physical equations whose validity is affirmed but which are without the support of any semblance of derivation or proof."

In August 1953, the BULLETIN reported that John Inkster became exploration manager of the Tulsa area of Shell Oil, replacing R.E. McAdams. Later, John was in charge of technical recruiting for Shell and was responsible for hiring many of Shell's key staff.

I remember meeting with John at a conference table containing a brass plate grandly noting its origin from ... the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Co. (ITI).

I do hope that table -- that piece of our history -- survives somewhere in the office of a fortunate geologist.