Roughnecks, Wildcats and Doodlebugs
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A unique feature of the website is the inclusion of
CKUA Radio Network Inc.'s 24-part documentary and 60
minute video entitled
Roughnecks, Wildcats and Doodlebugs
Part 1: The Early Days of Exploration in Alberta
The creation of the petroleum industry in Alberta
started before the last ice age when the prairie is
thought to have been a vast sea with primitive but
abundant plant and animal life. When the organic
material from the dead plants and animals began to
build up, the pressure from the weight of the
accumulated layers changed the organic material into
oil and gas.
The oil often came to the surface where it was
used by aboriginal peoples as a lubricant and to
waterproof their canoes. Explorers Kootenai Brown
and Lafayette French saw the way the aboriginals
used this black liquid and made a deal with them as
part of their failed attempt to create interest in
the Rocky Mountain Development Company. Several
deposit discoveries, the skepticism of investors,
the First World War and the depression resulted in a
series of booms and busts during the early years of
exploration in Alberta.
The men and women who pioneered the exploration
companies and the drilling rigs would overcome
hardship and disappointment to become respected
industry leaders who lead the oil and gas industry
in Alberta and contributed to oil and gas
exploration and extraction around the world.
This program features interviews with Alberta
Petroleum pioneers such as,
Geoff Andrews ,
John Ballachy ,
John Ballem ,
Thelma Cameron ,
Fin Lineham ,
Mary MacRae ,
Archie Miller ,
Scov Murray ,
Carl Nickle ,
Lauder Nowers ,
Jack Pettinger
Part 2: Turner Valley
From the time of its discovery, just before the
First World War, Turner Valley experienced a couple
of spectacular boom and busts. The Depression years
were particularly hard on the Valley. Aside from a
burst of activity in 1929, drilling and exploration
ground to a halt.
There was lots of gas, but little
in the way of crude oil. However, good fortune would
soon return when the first major find - Dingman #1 -
blew. Calgary entrepreneur R.A. Brown, who was in
turner Valley during this discovery, convinced
investors to help finance drilling that started in 1934.
The oil industry has been one of the fastest
paced industries in the province for many years.
Technological advancements continue to drive and
change the industry and the boom to bust cycle
creates an ever-changing and uncertain work
environment.
This program features the voices of
Geoff
Andrews ,
John Ballachy ,
John Ballem ,
Thelma Cameron ,
Fin Lineham ,
Mary MacRae ,
Archie Miller ,
Scov Murray ,
Carl Nickle ,
Lauder Nowers ,
Jack Pettinger , and
Tom Wark
Part 3: Turner Valley II:
Deadly and Difficult Working Conditions
Feature on Turner Valley and the oil industry in
Alberta. The search for oil and gas was a dangerous
business. When drilling was unsuccessful, nitro
glycerin was often used to blast a wider hole. The
men who drove the trucks that hauled the nitro
glycerin were known in the community, and people
moved off the road when they came near.
Listen as Mr. Yorke, who at one time worked with
Nitro-Charlie, explains why everyone was afraid to
work with him, what he was best known for, his
jewelry, and how he couldn’t get life insurance.
There is also discussion around experimentation,
disasters, and safety conditions.
This episode features the voices of
Bill Allen ,
John Ballachey ,
John Ballem ,
Elmer Berlie ,
Gordon
Connell ,
Walt Dingle ,
Garnet Edwards ,
Jeep Hall ,
Alex Hemstock ,
Aubrey Kerr ,
Dr. David Lander ,
Doug
Layer ,
Fin Lineham ,
Don MacKenzie ,
Mary MacRae ,
Fred
McKinnon ,
Scov Murray ,
Lauder Nowers ,
Jack Pettinger ,
Tom Wark ,
Gordon Webster
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
