Brown & Root, Inc. was first established in 1914 as an engineering firm exploring innovations in gas, chemical and plastics plants as well as bridges, dams and ships. It was the first company to create the off-shore drilling platform in the 1950s and by 1966 the platforms were used worldwide with more than 5000 miles of underwater lines. In 1962, the Halliburton Company acquired 95% of the Brown & Root, Inc. stock. Also in 1962, Brown & Root was selected by the National Science Foundation to plan, manage, develop equipment and obtain services and facilities for Project Mohole, but before the work began Congress prevented funding for continuation of Project Mohole.