The technology for refining petroleum was developed alongside the internal combustion engine. However, the abysmal combustion efficiency of early engines meant the technology was largely ignored, and coal remained the market's primary fuel.
However, thanks to the combined efforts of many inventors, both internal combustion engines and petroleum refining had iterated to a point where they were commercially viable.
"Petroleum?" someone chimed in. "I've heard of that stuff. It produces a ton of smoke when you light it, so it's basically useless. It's dirt cheap, though."
"That's right. Unrefined petroleum can't be used directly as fuel," Benz explained. "But we've solved the technical issues. Refined gasoline doesn't have that problem."
"Does anyone know the price of gasoline?" someone in the audience asked quietly.
