Automobile Wheel Lock, circa 1920

01

Artifact Overview

Locking the doors on an open car was pointless. But owners could lock the wheels with devices like this Stop Thief car lock, made about 1920. The device would hamper the thief's driving ability and alert onlookers that the car was stolen.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Lock (Securing device)

Date Made

circa 1920

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

79.31.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mrs. Pauline Alexanderson.

Material

Iron (Metal)
Paint (Coating)

Color

Green

Dimensions

Width: 11.5 in
Length: 6.75 in

Inscriptions

On outer rim: GREEN LOCK CO. / DETROIT / STOP THIEF / CAR LOCK On smaller loop: PATS / PEND.
Automobile Wheel Lock, circa 1920