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Energy · Recorded milestone

Shale fracking boom

Recorded year2005

Horizontal drilling combined with hydraulic fracturing unlocks shale gas and oil, reshaping global energy markets.

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Built on

Gusher-era oil extractionRecorded · 1901enables
Reflection seismologyRecorded · 1921enables
Stored-program computerRecorded · 1948requires
MicroprocessorRecorded · 1971requires

Led to

Sources & evidence

Additional source

Dataset updated 2026-10-18. This individual record has not been separately re-reviewed.