Cars lining up during the oil crisis of 1979
The ’70s were not a great time for the economy in terms of oil and energy. The energy crisis peaked in 1973 and 1979. During the first oil shock, gasoline was rationed in many countries. Europe largely depended on the Middle East for oil. The United States was affected by this, as well. Customers with a license plate that ended in an odd number were only allowed to buy gas on odd-numbered days. The U.S. also went through its own oil reserves. Here we have cars lining up at a gas station in Maryland back in 1979.