Discovering the Gap

Discovering the Gap between Jean Paul Getty and Kenneth Colin Irving

Over the past century, North America has developed significantly due to the influence of two

prominent figures. Jean Paul Getty and Kenneth Colin Irving are two ambitious entrepreneurs who

came to shape North America’s petroleum industry into what it is today. Both Getty and Irving have

gained success through their business, claiming fame in the world of entrepreneurship. Many

recognized Getty as a brilliant businessman who became the richest man in the world during the late

twentieth century. Similarly, Irving was known as the Patriarch of New Brunswick Empire1 as he created

many opportunities for workers. As opportunists, Jean Paul Getty and Kenneth Colin Irving shared

comparable experiences on their journey to success in the early pursuit of their ambition and their

passion for continuous development; however power comes with flaws leading to negative attention

which rewarded our two heroes with nothing.

In both cases, Getty and Irving began their careers with the influence of their fathers; however

they each took a different approach when called to succeed the family business. Getty’s connection to

the oil industry began when his father was an investor in the Minnehoma Oil Company and it had stuck

oil in 1903, eventually leading to great success. By the time Getty had completed his education, the

Minnehoma Oil Company had expanded and was ready to be inherited by Jean Paul. At first, Getty was

reluctant on succeeding because of his interest in travelling, but after helping his father scout for oil

fields in Oklahoma, Getty began to invest in his own wells. Getty’s passion in investment grew over time

and in May 1916, him and his father founded the Getty Oil Company. Irving, on the other hand,

disagreed with his father’s wishes to succeed the general store in Bouctouche because of his desire to

start his own business. Irving began working in a small Esso service station...