Texaco "Fire-Chief" Gasoline Pump, circa 1940

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Artifact Overview

By the 1940s, drivers watched "computing" pumps like this Texaco Fire-Chief pump automatically calculate the amount of gasoline and the price. This type of pump did away with price charts used by service station attendants. Internal, calibrated gear sets turned numbered wheels allowing quick and easy fill ups and payments.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Gasoline pump

Date Made

circa 1940

Creators

Place of Creation

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

87.196.24

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Fletcher Oil Company.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)
Chromium
Rubber (Material)

Color

Red

Dimensions

Height: 73.5 in
Width: 23.5 in
Length: 19 in
Height: 51 in (HEIGHT OF LIGHT POLE)

Inscriptions

Lit sign at upper on all 4 sides: TEXACO / FIRE-CHIEF / GASOLINE Front, around glass: GLASS MUST BE FULL BEFORE AND AFTER DELIVERY Dial: THIS SALE / $ _._ _ / GALLONS / _ _ _ / _ _ _ / PER GALLON / INCLUDES ALL TAXES / ACCURATE DELIVERY AT ANY FLOW OR PRESSURE Sign on lower front and back: FIRE-CHIEF / GASOLINE / TEXACO Sign on lower left & right sides: FOR USE AS A / MOTOR FUEL ONLY / CONTAINS / LEAD / (TETRAETHYL)
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