Fuel Scarcity, Strikes, and Security: A Transatlantic Energy History

Jeremy and Sally Drayson, interviewed by Geneva, offer a rich narrative spanning their experiences and insights into energy history. Jeremy, born in the UK and later spending significant time in Washington, D.C., during the 1950s to 1970s, recounts his upbringing amidst World War II, including living near coastal defenses and the impact of wartime scarcity on fuel and electricity. Sally, originally from Indianapolis and later moving to the UK in the early 1970s, discusses her experiences with coal and oil shortages during miner strikes, notably impacting daily life and businesses like pubs. Her work in the Pentagon during the Cold War focused on analyzing civilian aircraft threats, showcasing the evolving role of intelligence in national security during that era. Their accounts vividly illustrate the social and geopolitical dynamics shaping energy policies and everyday life across both sides of the Atlantic.