The power of oil

Aruba and oil. But no oil is to be found on or around the island. Yet, for many years, one of the largest oil refineries in the world stood there. And oil, alongside tourism, remains an important employer and source of income. The arrival of the American refinery Lago Oil Company on Aruba in 1924 brought about many changes. Changes for employment, the economy, the population, the government, the environment, and more. In 1924, only a few thousand people lived on the island. But the refinery needed a great many employees. Employees who came from other parts of the Caribbean and from the United States. The refinery was located in San Nicolas, a small town that soon grew larger than the capital, Oranjestad. In 1933, an airfield was constructed for the benefit of the many employees from the United States and other regions who arrived or returned there. The first scheduled flight between Aruba and Curaçao took place on January 19, 1935. A direct air connection between Curaçao (Willemstad) and the United States (Miami) was opened on August 11, 1938. An airfield was opened in Jamaica (Kingston) in 1941, and KLM began a regular scheduled service from Willemstad, via Oranjestad, to Kingston. It was not until August 16, 1943, that a direct air route was opened from Willemstad, via Oranjestad, Kingston, and Canaguey (Cuba) to Miami. This weekly air connection was established at the initiative of the Lago Oil Company to transport its many American employees. The first flight took place with the KLM aircraft Troepiaal, piloted by Hakkenberg. The aircraft was a Lockheed 14WF62 Super Electra and entered service in March 1938. The first scheduled flight was 'celebrated' with a special envelope. Collectors could purchase the envelope and, after having the necessary stamps affixed, send it to Miami. After passing censorship, the envelopes were marked with an impression of a large, special stamp. The stamp was so large that it often had to be printed on the reverse side. In Miami, the envelopes were returned to the senders. One could send the envelope from Willemstad as well as from the other stops. The number of envelopes sent from Curaçao and Aruba has been meticulously recorded. From Willemstad, there were 11.787, stamped with the large purple-violet stamp. From Oranjestad, there were 6.173, with a green stamp. No numbers are known for the other two places. Certainly a nice vignette on the envelope with the Morse code symbol …—for the V of PEACE. The power of oil? Or for the sake of oil?