1. It was discovered in the middle of the 19th century, but back then it was marketed as a prevention to head lice. It also was proven to remove stains from clothing. These uses were both ceased as the price of gas went up, and the realization that it is very flammable and fire spread upon them very quickly, burning your hair and clothes.
2. In 1906 gas cost only $0.22 a gallon. The average price of gasoline one hundred years later in 2006 was on average $3.06. This shows an increase of 92.8% of the original price. With gas prices still going up higher since 2006 we shouldn't expect to see it go down anytime soon.
3. A gallon of gas costs more than a gallon of water. Can you believe that? A gallon of water, which covers over ninety percent of the earth, costs more than a gallon of gas. So we are getting ripped off on gas, yet water is a fair price? Assuming the price is the usual one dollar a bottle, containing around eight fluid ounces it would could you sixteen dollars for a gallon of bottled water.
4. There is now a machine that will change any hydrocarbon based material into natural gas and oil. Essentially it is a microwave that breaks down the materials and turns them into the gas. A very long and extensive interview was done by popular science magazine. You can check out the article at Popular Science.

There are many things going on in the world affecting the gas prices, including our interactions in Iraq, and the rest of the Middle East. Gas is not something we should take for granted, because as the price goes up we should be realizing the supply is lessening. Gas prices just don't seem so high after all.