Edwin Drake was an American oil driller born on March 29, 1819, in New York. He is best known for successfully drilling the first commercial oil well in the United States in 1859, located in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This groundbreaking achievement marked the beginning of the modern petroleum industry and significantly impacted energy production. Drake's innovative drilling techniques, including the use of a steam engine, helped extract oil from the ground more efficiently. His work laid the foundation for future oil exploration and production, leading to the rise of major oil companies and the development of related technologies, such as refining and transportation.