Twin Parking Meter, circa 1938
Add to SetSummary
By the 1920s, automobile parking in cities was chaotic. City governments tried widening streets, prohibiting parking near intersections, and marking parking spaces. Finally, it was the parking meter, introduced in 1935, that proved workable and enforceable. This early parking meter, designed for two cars, was used in Hamtramck, Michigan. Parking cost five cents per hour, except on Sunday and holidays.
By the 1920s, automobile parking in cities was chaotic. City governments tried widening streets, prohibiting parking near intersections, and marking parking spaces. Finally, it was the parking meter, introduced in 1935, that proved workable and enforceable. This early parking meter, designed for two cars, was used in Hamtramck, Michigan. Parking cost five cents per hour, except on Sunday and holidays.
Artifact
Parking meter
Date Made
circa 1938
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, New York, Elmira
Creator Notes
Made by International Meters, Inc., a subsidary of American LaFrance, in Elmira, New York.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
79.17.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of City of Detroit Meter Shop.
Material
Metal
Color
Gray (Color)
Black (Color)
Red
Dimensions
Height: 16.5 in
Width: 6 in
Length: 5.875 in
Inscriptions
In red: NICKEL / ONLY In black: THIS / arrow / CAR On sides: INSERT / arrow / NICKEL / 60 / MINUTES / 1 NICKEL / DURING HOURS ON SIGN / EXCEPT SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS / CITY OF HAMTRAMCK / TRAFFIC CONTROL DIVISION On back, in yellow: 19
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