In 1947, the discovery of oil in Leduc turned Edmonton into the Oil Capital of Canada. After spending $12 million on more than 130 dry holes, Imperial Oil was about to give up on ever finding oil in the area. However, on February 13, toolpusher Vern "Dry Hole" Hunter (nicknamed for the number of unsuccessful wells he had drilled) ordered the crew to drill down another few feet. The discovery marked the birth of western Canada's oil industry.

These drilling bits in the background feature surfaces with industrial diamonds to allow drilling into extremely hard rock surfaces.

What stops drilling pipe from accidentally dropping down the hole and being lost in the depths? The basic simple machine-a wedge-is used to jamb the pipe and keep the pipe securely wedged in the rotary table. Every time pipe is detached on the drilling floor, roughnecks must skillfully place "slips" into the rotary table and securely wedge the pipe. The flared collar on the drill pipe helps to stop a loose pipe from falling through the slips.

	Kelly and Rotary Table

Just how is it possible that a round pipe can be held so securely that the rotary table is capable of turning several 1000 metres of drill string weighing multiple tonnes? The key is that the kelly drive bushing has a square or hexagonal opening that receives the kelly-also shaped to exactly fit into the opening. The shape prevents any slippage and as rotary table turns the kelly, its turning motion is precisely transferred to the drill string below. As drilling progresses, the kelly slides gradually down through the bushing around it, but the turning action is uninterrupted.

The large, circular brake on the drawworks controls the winch used for raising and lowering the heavy travelling block and drill string.

On this rig one diesel engine ran the mud pump and was connected to it by a set of v-pulley belts. The other engine powered the drawworks to raise and lower the travelling block. It also turned the rotary table.

	The hoisting system raises and lowers the heavy travelling block.

Multiple v-pulley belts drive the mud pump.	Specialized drilling bits.

A horse head pump.	Truck with specialized instruments on board.