M. King Hubbert was an American geologist and petroleum engineer, best known for his work on peak oil theory. He proposed that oil production in a given area follows a bell-shaped curve, meaning that production will rise to a peak and then decline. This concept has significant implications for energy policy and resource management. Hubbert's most famous prediction, made in 1956, was that U.S. oil production would peak around 1970. His analysis has influenced discussions on energy resources, sustainability, and the future of fossil fuels, making him a key figure in the field of resource economics.