Lubrication technology has achieved unprecedented progress in modern times, but its history is far more extensive than what we usually understand. From the simple lubrication techniques used in ancient civilizations to transport huge stones, to the strict demands for high-performance lubricants in modern industrial equipment, this technology is like a constantly evolving thread that runs through the history of human engineering capabilities. Looking back on the entire course of lubrication technology, we can not only see the innovations in materials and processes, but also the driving force of industrial civilization's continuous pursuit of efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.

Archaeological research shows that the earliest lubrication practices can be traced back to ancient Egypt in the 17th century BC. At that time, to transport the stones used in the construction of the pyramids, people would smear olive oil between the stones and the tracks to reduce friction and make the huge stones move more smoothly and efficiently. This seemingly simple practice demonstrates the ancient people's simple understanding of the basic principles of friction and lubrication. By the 14th century BC, the chariot technology in ancient Egypt further developed. Animal fats (such as beef fat and sheep fat) were used to lubricate the axle of the chariots, making them more stable and durable when traveling at high speeds. These are the earliest engineering lubrication applications, marking the beginning of humans' active efforts to improve the reliability of equipment. 

In the 19th century, the way humans obtained lubricating oils from nature underwent a revolutionary change. In 1859, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, the United States, the world's first commercial oil well was successfully drilled. This event marked the official beginning of the oil age and also led to a complete evolution of the raw material sources for lubricants. Previously, in industrial and agricultural activities, lubricating materials mainly relied on vegetable oils and animal fats. However, the emergence of oil brought about a more abundant, more stable, and lower-cost source of base oils, laying the foundation for the rapid development of the lubricant industry.

With the explosion of the automotive industry in the early 20th century, the requirements for lubricant performance became increasingly higher. In the 1920s, major lubricant manufacturers began to deeply process petroleum-based base oils to address the common problems of rapid oxidation, short lifespan, and poor low-temperature performance in lubricants. The solvent refining technology matured during this period. By selectively removing impurities from the base oil using solvents, it made the lubricants more stable and reliable, thereby enhancing the durability of engines. 

From the 1930s to the 1940s, the framework of modern lubricant systems was established. A large number of additives such as oxidation inhibitors, corrosion protectants, anti-gelling agents, and polymers with improved viscosity index were invented and put into industrial use. By the 1940s, the additive system had become an important component of engine lubricants, significantly extending the service life of the lubricants. Without additives, early engine oils could only last for 80 to 100 hours, while the application of additives increased the service life of the lubricants by several times or even dozens of times. At the same time, the railway industry, in order to avoid engine failures, began to adopt systematic oil analysis, which became an early prototype of modern condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

In the 1950s, technological breakthroughs led to a higher level of development for lubricants. To meet the extreme temperature and pressure requirements of the aerospace industry, the first batch of synthetic lubricants was introduced. Synthetic oil, due to its excellent high-temperature stability, low-temperature fluidity, and oxidation resistance, quickly became an indispensable key material in the aviation industry. At the same time, multi-grade engine oil also entered the civilian market, enabling vehicles to start easily and maintain stable lubrication performance in different seasons, which significantly enhanced the reliability and user experience of the automotive industry. 

The development of technology witnessed another breakthrough in the 1970s. Two hydrogenation processes such as partial hydrogenation and complete hydrogenation were successfully applied to the production of base oils, significantly reducing impurities like sulfur and nitrogen in the base oils. This also greatly improved the oxidation stability and service life of the oil products. These technologies contributed to the emergence of the modern high-quality base oil system and led to the transformation of lubricants from "roughly processed products" to "precise chemical materials".

In the 1990s, hydrogen isomerization technology became one of the key technologies in the base oil industry. This technology can transform waxy molecules into high-quality base oils with excellent low-temperature performance and viscosity characteristics, raising the quality of base oils to a new level. During this period, the American Petroleum Institute (API) also officially established a base oil classification system, dividing base oils into five major categories: I to V. This provided the industry with clear and standardized quality standards. The III group base oils, due to their high performance, were widely used. High-end lubricants began to adopt IV group PAO and V group ester base oils, bringing lubrication technology to a higher level. 

Entering the 21st century, the evolution of lubrication technology has not slowed down. Modern equipment has set even stricter requirements for performance, efficiency and environmental friendliness. Whether it is energy-saving hydraulic oil, ultra-long-life engine oil, or high-load industrial gear oil, lubricants are constantly breaking new ground in terms of chemical structure, additive system, and base oil quality. Higher precision, longer lifespan, lower energy consumption, and stronger environmental friendliness have become the new standards for lubrication products. Lubricants have gradually evolved from "auxiliary materials for reducing friction" to "key reliability technology", becoming one of the core factors for equipment lifespan and production efficiency.

The history of lubrication technology is a history of continuously overcoming friction, wear, and extreme conditions. From olive oil to synthetic oil, from animal fat to advanced PAO, from manual experience to intelligent oil analysis and predictive maintenance, humans have promoted the progress of engineering technology, mechanical equipment, and even the entire industrial civilization by constantly improving lubrication materials and lubrication concepts. Since its establishment, Zhejiang Moru has been at the forefront of lubrication technology innovation. The company is driven by innovation, with a rigorous formulation system as its core, and based on advanced production processes and experimental platforms, it provides lubrication solutions with outstanding performance, high reliability, and wide adaptability to global customers. From industrial manufacturing, energy extraction to precision mechanical equipment, Zhejiang Moru's products always focus on real-site needs, through scientific development, rigorous verification, and continuous optimization, enabling users to achieve higher levels of equipment protection, longer oil life, and lower operating costs.