Egloff, Gustav, 1886-1955

Gustav Egloff (1886–1955) was an American chemist nicknamed Gasoline Gus. He was Universal Oil Products' first chemist and by 1917 became their director, serving in that capacity until death. Science magazine described him as a "human catalyst". He was president of the American Institute of Chemists from 1942 to 1946, and chairman of the American Chemical Society from 1947 to 1948. He had 280 patents to his name and wrote over 600 articles, mostly on the subject of petroleum and hydrocarbons. He holds the record for one of the longest answers to a question in a courtroom in relation to a lawsuit in St. Louis regarding one of his patents. On being asked "What do you know about emulsions?" his response continued for 21 days.