Hiram Bond Everest (February 27, 1831 - March 6, 1913) was a professor of science, businessman, investor and inventor.
Everest was born in Pike, New York and moved to Wisconsin around age 18 to work as a teacher of science until 1853, when he moved to Rochester, N.Y.. There he established a grocery business. Later, with a business partner Matthew Ewing, the Vacuum Oil Company was incorporated in 1866, after obtaining a patent for a new method of distilling kerosene in a vacuum that produced a high-quality lubricant byproduct.[1] It had been the company's intention to produce kerosene but they found a greater competitive advantage for their lubricants. Everest and the Vacuum Oil Company patented several inventions. Everest subsequently leased 10,000 acres (40 km2) for the company in Oatka Valley, New York and was reputed to be a multi-millionaire. Everest died at age 82 in Los Angeles, California.[2]