chart 0 25th anniversary of the 1973 oil embargo 8 26 98 this marks energy crisis in some ways most pivotal year history anniversaries are often a time reflection spirit information administration presents here 30 major trends united states over period taken as whole these measures provide picture how country has responded to quarter century ago through 1972 americans had become accustomed expanding consumption with minimal concerns about constancy supply or sharp price escalations however expectations changed dramatically turmoil started early customers experienced electricity brown outs and rapidly rising prices for fuels other necessities controls allocation systems not only failed resolve problems they seemed aggravate them memorably october brought an by members organization arab petroleum exporting countries cutting further into elevating levels previously thought impossible lines sometimes no fuel at gasoline stations bad news was punctuated
