When did we start importing oil?

The United States began importing oil in the mid-19th century, with significant imports starting around the 1860s as oil production expanded. The discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859 marked the beginning of the oil industry, and by the late 1800s, the U.S. was importing crude oil and refined products primarily from countries like Canada and Venezuela. The trend of increasing oil imports continued throughout the 20th century, particularly after World War II, as domestic consumption surged.