This map, published in the October 1937 issue of Fortune magazine, illustrates the geographic reach of the Gulf Oil Company. Color coding indicates the strength of the company’s sales across different regions: red denotes strong sales, orange indicates moderate sales, yellow marks weak sales, and green represents areas with no retail presence. The map also identifies the locations of Gulf’s refineries, marine terminals, and pipelines.

The verso of this map combines narrative journalism, striking photography, and formal portraiture to chronicle the leadership and working operations of the Gulf Oil Company. The left page features a formal photograph of the Gulf board of directors seated around a long conference table, underscoring the company’s prestige and family connections—particularly the prominent Mellon family. Surrounding the images is detailed text recounting the company’s financial decisions, expansion, and key figures, while the right page presents candid photographs of Gulf Oil workers actively engaged in field operations, illustrating the hands-on process of oil exploration and well development. The layout merges executive authority with scenes of manual labor, offering readers a comprehensive glimpse into both the corporate governance and the gritty realities of the oil industry during this era.

Gulf Oil

In 1937, Gulf Oil had established a substantial presence across the United States, with integrated operations spanning crude oil production, a vast network of pipelines, multiple refineries in key cities like Port Arthur and Philadelphia, and an expanding chain of retail service stations. The company was also active internationally, holding interests in major oilfields in Mexico and Venezuela, and participating in significant early ventures in the Middle East, illustrating Gulf Oil’s emergence as a major global player by the late 1930s.

Background on Creator

Fortune magazine is an American business publication founded by Henry Luce in 1929, with its first issue released in February 1930. Distinguished by its in-depth reporting and artistic presentation, Fortune quickly became known for its comprehensive coverage of major industries, corporate profiles, and economic trends, even during the challenging years of the Great Depression. By 1937, it boasted nearly 460,000 subscribers and a reputation for editorial excellence and visual innovation, helping to shape the landscape of American business journalism.