The use of bitumen dates back to antiquity, where it was utilized by civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, and Babylonians. It had a variety of applications, from sealing boats to constructing road surfaces in the Roman Empire. Throughout the Middle Ages and the early modern period, it continued to be used for diverse purposes.

With the onset of industrialization, bitumen experienced a significant surge. The history of bitumen took a major leap forward with the beginning of large-scale petroleum extraction. The availability of crude oil in large quantities enabled the mass production of bitumen and the development of new processing techniques. This led to a wider range of bitumen products and applications in areas such as road construction, the building industry, and roof sealing. Bitumen became an indispensable component of modern infrastructure projects worldwide.