Brian C. Black is Distinguished Professor of History and Environmental Studies at Penn State Altoona, where he currently serves as Head of Arts and Humanities. Recognized as a global expert on petroleum history, his research emphasis is on the landscape and environmental history of North America, particularly in relation to the application and use of energy and technology. He is the author of several books, including To Have and Have Not: Energy in World History, Crude Reality, and the award-winning Petrolia. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times, and the Journal of American History. He divides time between central Pennsylvania and Cape Cod and edits the “Energy and Society” book series with West Virginia University Press.
