Oil Tanks, Clark & Sumner, Standard Petroleum Refinery, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania c. 1865

This stereoscopic photograph, "Oil Tanks, Clark & Sumner, Standard Petroleum Refinery, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania" by Thomas H. Johnson, captures a moment in the burgeoning oil industry of the mid-19th century. The image showcases a row of large cylindrical tanks, likely used for storage, at a Standard Petroleum Refinery in Pittsburgh. The stark, industrial setting contrasts with the softer, more natural backdrop of trees and sky. Johnson's photograph provides a glimpse into a critical period of American economic and technological development, showcasing the rise of the oil industry and its impact on the urban landscape. The stereoscopic format, which creates a 3-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope, further immerses the viewer in this historical scene.