Why did we use leaded petrol for so long?

From:  BBC

By Tim Harford

BBC World Service, 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Image caption                                                                           Chemist Thomas Midgley insisted that tetraethyl lead was safe    

Leaded petrol was safe. Its inventor was sure of it.

Facing sceptical reporters at a press conference in October 1924, Thomas Midgley dramatically produced a container of tetraethyl lead - the additive in question - and washed his hands in it.

"I'm not taking any chance whatever," Midgley declared. "Nor would I... doing that every day."

Midgley was - perhaps - being a little disingenuous. He had recently spent several months in Florida, recuperating from lead poisoning.

Some of those who'd made Midgley's invention hadn't been so lucky, which is why reporters were interested.  MORE