> John D. Rockefeller infamously used the strategy of seizing the middle to control the oil industry throughout the nineteenth century. Rockefeller put a premi

> John D. Rockefeller infamously used the strategy of seizing the middle to control the oil industry throughout the nineteenth century. Rockefeller put a premium producing a quality product. At the time, other refiners were sloppy, and sometimes sold kerosene that still had gasoline in it. Because of this, people sometimes accidentally blew their hands off, or worse. Rockefeller promised a safe, standardized product. Yes he was unscrupulous businessman, but he saved a lot of consumers from getting blown up, too. In this regard, it's not so much about seizing the middle as it is about a talented player carefully mopping up the board once they have a slight advantage.