Cadillac Motometer, circa 1925
Add to SetSummary
Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Moto-Meter Co. Inc. dominated the American market, producing the popular Boyce motometer and others featuring an automotive manufacturer's name or logo.
Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Moto-Meter Co. Inc. dominated the American market, producing the popular Boyce motometer and others featuring an automotive manufacturer's name or logo.
Artifact
Motometer
Date Made
circa 1925
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, Florida, Jacksonville
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
81.99.11
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Glass (Material)
Brass (Alloy)
Enamel (Fused coating)
Dimensions
Height: 5.5 in
Width: 3.375 in
Thickness: 1.375 in
Inscriptions
On obverse and reverse of case: PATENTED / MAY-13-13 / MAR-17-14 / BOYCE / MOTO-METER / PATENTED / JULY-16-(?) / AUG-13-18 / THE MOTOMETER CO, INC. / LONG ISLAND, N.Y. U.S.A On obverse of insert: (Cadillac logo) / MADE ESPECIALLY / FOR / CLAUDE NOLAN, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. On reverse of insert: DANGER STEAM / SUMMER AVERAGE / A COOL MOTOR CAUSES / GASOLINE WASTE / USE RADIATOR COVER / A SUDDEN RISE / INDICATES TROUBLE / STOP AND INVESTIGATE / COOL MOTOR
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