They don't give a {bleep}.
Back in the 1920's Du Pont actually lobbied oil companies to adopt lead additives as valve lubricant and an octane enhancer. The additives themselves were Du Pont patented and thus earned them a substantial royalty. Meanwhile automobile engines were engineered to run better on leaded fuel. A win-win situation you might think.
Du Pont chemical plants soon became known for horrifying cases of lead poisoning amongst the workforce.
It took many years for scientific evidence suggesting a link between cases of lead poisoning and leaded fuel, which was constantly refuted by Du Pont and numerous oil companies. Eventually, they bowed to pressure and lead free fuel was introduced containing.... Wait for this.... Benzine.
Meanwhile, way back in the 1920's several chemical firms concluded that an acceptable petrol additive could be formulated from Methanol, both improving the combustion of fuel and not having an adverse effect on valve life. Their rival additives lost out to the combined might of Du Pont and General Motors.
However, the story doesn't end there... Leaded fuel is still extensively used in third world countries where Du Pont earns a royalty on every litre sold.
