Comment by turingcompeteme

Standard Oil actually did start out as a toy. They provided oil to burn in lamps. At the time most people thought that was a somewhat silly gimmick and a fad that would quickly pass. Oil in general was seen as something neat but not essential for years. But just like facebook, many people soon came around to the idea and it took over the world.

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. covers this all in incredible detail, if it is something that interests you.