Overland Whippet Motometer, 1920-1930
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
1920-1930
Creators
Place of Creation
On Exhibit
On Loan - Shanghai Auto Museum (Anting, Shanghai, China)
Object ID
81.99.6
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Glass (Material)
Brass (Alloy)
Dimensions
Height: 4.25 in
Width: 2.188 in
Thickness: 1.125 in
Inscriptions
On obverse of insert: OVERLAND / WHIPPET On reverse of insert: DANGER/ STEAM/ REGISTER/ IN CIRCLE/ FOR HIGH /EFFICIENCY/ COOL/ MOTOR