Chalmers Hubcap, 1922-1924
Add to SetSummary
Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.
Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.
Artifact
Hubcap
Date Made
1922-1924
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
53.32.304
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company.
Material
Aluminum (Metal)
Enamel (Fused coating)
Color
Silver (Color)
Dark blue
Dimensions
Diameter: 2.5 in
Height: 1.875 in
Inscriptions
obverse in dark blue enamel: CMC tag (in accession file): cust. name: Maxwell M. Car. Co.
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