Since its discovery in 1859 by A. Wurtz, ethylene oxide has become an important industrial intermediate. It is made by the oxidation of ethylene, using O₂ in the presence of a silver catalyst.  The U.S. production of ethylene oxide in 1996 was 7.24 billion pounds.  In 1991 (the latest date for which I have convenient figures) 58% of the world production of ethylene oxide was used to make ethylene glycol, for which one use is as antifreeze for cars.  It is also used to make longer chain polyols and aminoalcohols, some of which are used as surfactants.