This cache is placed with permission and restricted hours. Geocachers are only supposed to come here during business hours which are 8am to 5pm M-F. Do not go through the fence.
“I live in the real world where men sell propane and propane accessories.”
-Hank Hill
King of the Hill’s character Hank Hill brought propane and propane accessories front of mind in modern pop culture. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ve probably heard Hank pay homage to the “father of modern propane,” Dr. Walter O. Snelling. Today we’re going to take a look back at just how Dr. Snelling discovered propane.
The Father of Propane
Walter O. Snelling (b. December 13, 1880 – d. September 10, 1965) was a doctor of Chemistry and held degrees from some of our nation’s most prestigious schools including Harvard University. Dr. Snelling consulted with the U.S. Bureau of Mines as a chemist and explosives expert and made a name for himself in the early 20th century by developing an underwater explosive detonator. His detonator saved the American government a considerable sum of money during the construction of the Panama Canal.
The Discovery of Propane
In 1912, after hearing a man complain of gas vapors leaking from his new Ford Model T, Dr. Snelling decided to investigate. He took a glass jug with gasoline and corked it. While transporting the jug, he noticed the cork kept popping out. This single observation eventually led to the discovery of propane. Upon examining the vapors, Dr. Snelling realized that they could be used as an energy source. He discovered that once the propane component was controlled, this versatile fuel could be safely used for many purposes from cooking to cutting metal cutting, and from there, the many benefits of propane continued to evolve.