Our Beginning
In 1866, Dr. John Ellis — unable to find any healing powers in crude oil — changed course and developed a petroleum lubricant for steam engines running at high temperatures.
Two years later, Ellis’ Continuous Oil Refining Co. was renamed Valvoline, after the steam engine valves that the product lubricated.
Valvoline was trademarked in 1873, making it the oldest motor oil trademark in the United States - America’s first motor oil brand.
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The Original Motor Oil
America's First Motor Oil Brand
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™ Trademark, Valvoline Global Operations