OR

source: wikipedia.org
08 Mar, 1822
07 Jan, 1882
Pneumonia
Polish
Engineer
59
Ignacy Łukasiewicz was a Polish pharmacist, engineer, businessman, and inventor who lived from 1822 to 1882. He was born into a noble family of Armenian origin and had a patriotic and democratic upbringing. He was the youngest of seven children. Łukasiewicz’s parents were landowners whose fortunes had declined. His father, who was a member of a noble family, had rebelled against Russian rule, led by Thaddeus Kosciusko in 1794. Łukasiewicz’s family moved to the Galicia region in Southern Poland in search of better opportunities when Łukasiewicz was a child.
Łukasiewicz attended a Catholic grammar school in 1832, where he learned Latin and German. However, he had to drop out of school after his father’s death. He still tried to follow his passion for chemistry and became an apprentice to a pharmacist named Antoni Svoboda in the town of Lancut. He was involved in several movements that aimed to restore Polish independence and was even arrested by the Austrian authorities.
After his release from prison in 1848, he moved to Lwow (now Lviv), where he worked as a pharmacist’s assistant at the Under the Golden Star pharmacy. During this time, he compiled an almanac titled “Manuscript,” which contained the pharmaceutical knowledge of that time. Łukasiewicz moved to Krakow and enrolled in a pharmacy course at the prestigious Jagiellonian University. He later obtained a doctoral degree in pharmacy in 1852. After completing his doctoral degree, Łukasiewicz returned to Lvov and continued working at the Under the Golden Star pharmacy.
Over the years, Ignacy Łukasiewicz developed an interest in the potential use cases of petroleum. He quickly realized the importance petroleum could have on industrial development. He began conducting experiments to convert petroleum into a form that could be used for lighting purposes. In 1852, Łukasiewicz partnered with Jan Zeh, a lab assistant at Mikolaj’s pharmacy, to work on the development of a kerosene lamp. He distilled kerosene from crude oil, which led him to invent the first modern kerosene lamp in 1853. He also introduced the first modern street lamp that same year in Gorlice.
He established the world’s first oil refinery in Ulaszowice in 1854. He became a pioneer in the petroleum industry and founded several oil companies and refineries.
In 1876, Łukasiewicz became a deputy in Poland’s parliament, further cementing his status as a national figure. He was respected and admired throughout Poland due to his efforts to promote the oil industry. He sadly passed away in 1882 at the age of 59.
Ignacy Łukasiewicz
Ignacy Łukasiewicz
Male
Pneumonia
Zaduszniki, Austrian Empire
Chorkówka, Austria-Hungary
Logistician: Ignacy Łukasiewicz was very practical in nature and he was known his hard work which paved the way for his inventions.
Łukasiewicz established the world's first oil refinery in Poland.
Łukasiewicz is credited with inventing the modern kerosene lamp in 1853.
His invention revolutionized lighting and made it accessible to all.
Ignacy Łukasiewicz built the world’s first oil refinery
He invented the modern kerosene lamp in 1853