The History Of The Standard Oil Company
Ida Tarbell
Ida Tarbell, a Journalist, published a series of news articles for McClure's Magazine exploiting the monopolization in the oil industry: mainly of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. Her articles preceded her publishing of her book, The History Of Standard Oil, in 1904.
Tarbell had been part of the new generation of journalists, known as muckrakers, who investigated businesses and there unlawfulness. For two years she looked through public records, reports and newspaper coverage on the Standard Oil Company. From all her research she had been able to define a clear visual of Rockefeller's monopoly, and easily able to digest the complicated maneuvers of Rockefeller into a narrative to show the public what they were up to. In her book, Ida explained she had great respect towards the goal of the company, but how they reached their success was not great.
"They had never played fair, and that ruined their greatness for me." In the book, the records and facts of the Standard Oil Company was brought to the public's eyes and showed they they ruled all the oil industry. The History of the Standard Oil Company was a major reason why the empire dissolved. Plus, this book brought a new light to the investigative journalism business. |