The rise of BP

Sir Vivian Fuchs (1909-1999), an English explorer known for leading Antarctica's first surface crossing, used BP oil to power his Tucker Sno-Cat -- epitomizing the company's wide-ranging contributions to all facets of society.

In 1962, according to Life's archives, BP developed plastic containers to hold motor oil from its oil derivatives. In doing so, it became one of the first companies to "sell a product manufactured from its own product."

In 1965, BP discovered gas in the North Sea. By 1970, the company controlled the largest oilfield in the area -- the Forties Field.

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