| Tetraethyl lead was the invention of General Motors and produced by contract by DuPont and Standard Oil of New Jersey. |
| Avgas contains tetraethyl lead that can damage the catalytic converters and oxygen sensors of a car and is also extremely toxic. |
| In this regard, McGrayne profiles Clair Patterson, who discovered that leaded gasoline was polluting the planet and spearheaded efforts to curtail the use of tetraethyl lead. |
| The advantage of tetraethyl lead was that it allowed auto manufacturers to use lower quality materials in the production of engines. |
| Tetraethyl lead has been added to petrol since the 1930s as an effective antiknock and also antiwear additive. |
| When added to gasoline in minute amounts, tetraethyl lead prevents engine knock and increases the gasoline's octane rating. |
