By the late 19th century, SOC controlled over 90% of U.S. refining capacity and processed millions of barrels of crude annually. Rockefeller's integration of refining and distribution allowed Standard Oil to reduce costs dramatically and dominate both domestic and international markets. Interestingly, the U.S. population at the time exceeded 38 million, providing a rapidly growing domestic market for kerosene and other petroleum products.
SOC's incorporation not only reshaped the American oil industry but also set the stage for future antitrust debates, influencing regulatory policies for decades.
