The reputation of Standard Oil in the public eye suffered badly after publication of Ida M. Tarbell's classic exposé "The History of the Standard Oil Co." in 1904, leading to a growing outcry for the government to take action against the company.
The reputation of Standard Oil in the public eye suffered badly after publication of Ida M. Tarbell's sensationalistic "The History of the Standard Oil Co." in 1904. Despite critical reception by academics and historians for its casual research and jumps of logic, it sold well, leading to a growing outcry for the government to take action against the company.