[AT] oil pressure

[Mark Greer]

from the STP website



In October 1954, three businessmen with a mere $3,000 in start-up capital
introduced the first STP® product in St. Joseph, Mo. Scientifically Treated
Petroleum, better know as STP, began with one product ? STP® Oil Treatment ?
that helped automobile motor oil resist thinning at high temperatures and
pressures.

The group, composed of Charles Dwight (Doc) Liggett, Jim Hill and Robert
DeHart, began packaging STP® in a backyard garage. They packaged it at night
and sold it from the trunks of their cars during their business and pleasure
trips. The company?s initial growth and profitability ? attributed to strong
word-of-mouth and the brand?s link to auto racing ? enabled STP to introduce
its first Gas Treatment in 1960. In 1961, STP was purchased by the
Studebaker Packard Corporation. Andy Granatelli was appointed CEO in 1963
and began to increase the brand?s marketing efforts through auto and boat
racing. Eventually, STP sponsored its own Indy Car racing team, featuring
Mario Andretti, the winner of the 1969 Indianapolis 500.

STP® product distribution began to grow and by 1963 STP® products were
available in more than 200,000 gasoline stations across the U.S. By the end
of 1968, sales had climbed to more than $43 million. In early 1969, STP
became a public corporation and shares went on the American Stock Exchange
under the symbol "STP."

The 1970s saw significant international growth, and in 1972 STP made
headlines throughout the world by beginning its association with future
stock car legend Richard Petty ? a partnership that continues to this day.
By 1973, STP reported sales of more than $54 million and a net income of
more than $1 million. Products were marketed throughout the U.S., Canada,
Mexico and nearly 100 countries around the world. In 1978, STP introduced
new improved grades of motor oil as well as sleek-looking, easy-to-pour Gas
Treatment containers. Later that year, the STP Corporation was acquired by
Chicago-based Esmark, Inc.

In the early 1980s, STP vigorously explored diversification possibilities
and put additional emphasis on its research and development programs. Leo J.
LeClair was named President and Chief Executive Officer and directed the
company?s move to a new world headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla.

Beatrice Companies purchased Esmark, Inc. in 1984, and then, a year later,
Union Carbide bought STP. In 1986 the Home and Automotive Division of Union
Carbide became First Brands Inc. through a management leverage buyout. By
the 1990s, the brand had built a presence in practically every country in
the world through a mixture of sales and international subsidiaries. In
January 1999, The Clorox Company completed its acquisition of First Brands
Corporation. For years, the reason people rely on STP® products has been
simple: STP® products give you the "power" to get maximum performance from
your car.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Walker" <richardwalker at pobox.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] oil pressure


>
> >What the letter "STP" stood for was always either a mystery or an
> >inside joke by the manufacturer. I was told once that they stood for
> >"Scientifically Treated Petroleum", but I have my doubts.
>
> Does anyone remember the big STP contest held in the late '60's for
> the public to come up with a catchy name matching the letters?  The
> contest was widely publicized in car, hot rod, and Popular Mechanics
> type magazines.  I forget now what the first prize was.   But that's
> how "Scientifically Treated Petroleum" got coined.
>
>
> Richard
>
>
>
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