SoCalGas’ roots trace back to 1867 when the Los Angeles Gas Co., the forerunner of SoCalGas, installed 43 new manufactured gas lamps in downtown Los Angeles. At that time, natural gas was still unknown and the company sold manufactured gas made initially from asphaltum, a tar-like substance, and later from oil. The gas lighting business was enjoying modest success until Thomas Edison introduced his new electric light in 1879. To offset declining lighting revenues, the company began aggressively promoting stoves and heaters.