Mobil Delvac 100Y timeline
A legacy of innovation
Giving 100%
For a century, the Mobil Delvac™ brand has been synonymous with world class products, technical expertise, and a determination to drive success.
We're ready to stand with you for whatever comes next, as we have been for the last 100 years.
1892 – Invention of the diesel engine
German inventor Rudulf Diesel files a patent on the first compression-ignition design. Five years later, the first “Diesel Engine” prototype would prove to be more than 16% efficient than then-standard steam engines.
1904 – The gargoyle awakens
The Mobil Delvac brand's first mascot, an intimidating bright-red creature outlined in black, was distinct from anything else on the market, and quickly came to represent strength, reliability and speed.
1911 – The Pegasus™ takes flight
The Vacuum Oil Pegasus was initially launched in South Africa. Later it would become the US trademark and grow inextricably linked to the ExxonMobil™ brand.
1925 – Mobil Delvac™ brand is born
Vacuum Oil, a predecessor to ExxonMobil, registers a new product: Diesel Engine Lubricant by Vacuum Oil. Customers would come to know it by the acronym: “DELVAC”.
1929 – Paulsboro refinery
Vacuum Oil begins manufacturing lubricant oil at a refinery near Paulsboro, New Jersey. The site would eventually become a central production and research facility.
“Alive with Power”
Mobiloil advertisements educate consumers on the demands of automobile engines and the advantages of Mobil lubricants.
1930 – Mobiloil logo
The Gargoyle was chosen to represent the transition to “Mobiloil™” because of its existing association with the strength and reliability.
1931 – Vacuum merges with Socony
The new company announces its new name, “Socony-Vacuum”, and adopts the red Pegasus as its logo.
Making the grades
Gargoyle™ Mobiloil™ was manufactured in 9 different grades to fit the growing range of applications for lubricant oil.
100 Years moving forward
For a century, the Mobil Delvac™ brand has been synonymous with world class products, technical expertise, and a determination to drive success.
We're ready to stand with you for whatever comes next, as we have been for the last 100 years.
1937 - Cutting-edge research
ExxonMobil engineers used state-of-the-art machines to develop market-leading products, like this photoelectric colorimeter to measure the hues of greases.
Oil refining improvements
Researchers like Dr. Carlton H. Schlesman, head of research and development at Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (pictured) help make dramatic improvements in oil refining.
1940s - The Dawn of Diesel
In the 1940s diesel engines begin to dominate industry.
1942-1945 – Women at work
During WWII in the United States, many women like Claire Frank (pictured) went to work to perform jobs traditionally reserved for men at Mobil factories.
1942-1945 - Mrs. Madeline Erikson
Setting up her Kinematic Viscosimeter for a viscosity check run.
1942-1945 - Hydraulic oils testing
Mobil develops hydraulic oils that must pass a -40 degree temperature test. Oils like these are still used in the hydraulic systems of modern planes.
Further innovations in testing
An ingenious use of three oil reservoirs enables laboratory technicians to run oil consumption tests on an unlimited number of different lubricants without stopping the engine.
1949 - Engine tests
Our engineers have always been dedicated to helping customers get the most out of their equipment. Here, engineers tear down and inspect an engine block after a test run with new lubricants.
1950 – Oil in glass bottles
Here a young driver tops up his car with Mobiloil from a glass bottle. Introduced during the war years due to steel shortages, glass bottles persisted for years until plastic and metal became more practical.
1951 - Diesel engines in Europe
Diesel engines like this 1951 Bussing in Germany came to power busses and trucks across the continent.
1952 - Revolutionizing the mining industry
The standard Oil Company of New Jersey Uniflo™ Multigrade, the first multigrade motor oil recommended for both summer and winter use.
1955 – A new name, a new logo
Socony-Vacuum changed its name to “Socony Mobil Oil” and acquired anew logo. The brand Mobil™ took the center stage with the iconic Pegasus.
Across the years
1960 - MobilOil de México
A Mobil brand sign in Matamoros, Mexico. By the 1960s, seventeen different trucking firms vied for dominance of Mexico's rapidly growing, and urbanizing, population.
1961 - Lubricants built by scientists
Every generation of Mobil Delvac products undergoes years of meticulous research. Here, Dr. Dwight Prater (seated) and Dr. James Wei study a three-dimensional model of petroleum molecules.
Delvac™ Special
Mobil™ releases a balanced engine oil designed to work with commercial vehicles in all services.
Delvac™ Special
The Balanced Oil for Commercial Vehicles in All Services.
1964 - First use of the modern Mobil™ logo
Designed by Tom Geismar from the design firm Chermayeff & Geismar, the modern logo captures the simplicity, efficiency, and quality that has set the Mobil brand apart since the beginning.
CLG Series Commer truck
The Mobil Delvac brand takes pride in setting new standards— when you have to go the distance, there’s no room for compromise.
1971 - Expanded presence in Africa
A man fills his diesel truck at a Mobil station in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, in 1971.
London Orbital Motorway (M25) Construction
Proposed in 1944 and completed in 1986, the M25 is the largest ring road in Europe (117 miles/188km) and one of the most important traffic arteries on the planet, and due to demand has been widened several times. Every day, trucks filled with Mobil Delvac lubricant use it to deliver essential products to partners in the counties of Ken, Surrey, Berkshire, Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.
1977 - Synthetics arrive
Mobil introduces its first synthetic heavy duty engine oil—Mobil Delvac SHC™.
1981 - Isuzu Bedford
The Isuzu Bedford design, a once-popular but now defunct brand of commercial vehicles, parks outside a Mobil gas station in the early 1980s.
1982 - Ray Rogers Mobil gas station
This gas station in San Antonio, Texas proudly displays the rotating Mobil Pegasus and the iconic “Mobil” text logo, promising truckers and drivers alike that their vehicles will be well cared for at this stop.
Winning with our customers
1993 – Big dig in China
Mobil Delvac lubricants support the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world.
1994 - The legacy continues in Paulsboro
Half a century after trailblazers like Claire Frank worked in the same Paulsboro Research Lab, technician Anitra Samuels conducts tests on lubricants.
Engine testing evolves
As standards for diesel engines start to change, Mobil Delvac engineers continue to evaluate how the latest lubricants work in the field. Here, Lab Technician Jim Wiest examines parts of an engine for wear marks and degradation at the Paulsboro Research Lab.
1999 - The choice for truck stops
Mobil Delvac™ became the featured brand of heavy-duty diesel engine oil for all Petro Stopping Centers®, now part of TA Truck Services, the largest truck stop chain in the United States at the time.
2005 - Setting the speed record
A Kenworth T400 using Mobil Delvac lubricants is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Fastest Diesel-Powered Truck with a top speed of 113mph (182kph).
2009 – A new product
Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30—a new, low viscosity synthetic diesel engine oil — is introduced across Europe. In 2013, it becomes available around the world.
2010 - The preferred coolant
Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze is selected as the coolant for the 200-plus TravelCenters of America and Petro Stopping Centers®.
2014 - Racing to green
NASCAR® announces that Mobil Delvac 1 5W-30 synthetic diesel engine oil will be used as part of the NASCAR® Race to Green" initiative.
2017 - A new analysis
Mobil®™ Lubricant Analysis is launched, helping customers get the most out of their machines’ service life on-highway and off.
To the next 100 years
2020 – Direct distribution to China
The Mobil Delvac team established Direct Distribution Centres across China. Today, consumers can purchase Mobil Delvac lubrication solutions from over 30,000 CV retail outlets.
Mobilawy loyalty programme
Mobilawy launched a new digital loyalty programme in 2022, Mobil Delvac CK-4 products designed to create long-term brand affinity among Egyptian consumers.
2022 - Energy efficiency for heavy duty trucks
In 2022, Mobil Delvac CK-4 products received the Energy Conservation Certification from the China Energy Conservation Association, highlighting the exceptional quality and fuel economy benefits.
2023 - Packaging innovation in India
The Mobil Delvac team commits to using 50% post-consumer recycled pails for all branded lubricant products.
Oil ProMine
The Oil ProMine program helped Mexican mine operators increase drain intervals and improve efficiency of equipment.
2024 – Unstoppable Care-avan
The Mobil Delvac team makes an impact in North America. As trucks drove 1 million miles across North America without an oil change, we helped connect kids in need with one million meals.
2025 – 100 years and beyond
In our next century, we will continue to innovate and work with our customers to meet evolving lubricant demands.