Sulfur is one of the few chemical elements found in its pure state in nature. Consequently, it was known and used by the ancients. Many of those uses are still employed to this day, so it is a good thing that sulfur is rather common, at least locally. Historically, sulfur was mined near volcanic activity and thermal springs where it often occurs. In a few third world countries that is still a source of income for a significant number of people.
As the use of sulfur (mostly as sulfuric acid) increased in the 19th century, mining sulfur near volcanic regions could not keep up with demand, so new sources had to be developed. It was known that vast amounts of sulfur occur in association with salt domes in and near the Gulf of Mexico, but there was no way to mine it due to water and shifting sand. Thus, in 1894 a brilliant process was devised by German-American engineer Herman Frasch to solve the problem.