Oil Rack and Bottles, 1926-1950

Summary

Electric gas pumps gave station attendants more time to focus on customer service. Attendants would wash windows, check tire pressures, polish radiators, look for loose hoses or belts under the hood, and check and fill oil as needed. By the 1930s, many gas stations offered complete oil changes -- a welcome new revenue source during the Great Depression.

Electric gas pumps gave station attendants more time to focus on customer service. Attendants would wash windows, check tire pressures, polish radiators, look for loose hoses or belts under the hood, and check and fill oil as needed. By the 1930s, many gas stations offered complete oil changes -- a welcome new revenue source during the Great Depression.

Artifact

Oil rack

Date Made

1926-1950

Creators

Jay B. Rhodes Company 

Master Manufacturing Company 

Place of Creation

United States, Michigan, Kalamazoo 

United States, Illinois, Litchfield 

Creator Notes

Rack made by Jay B. Rhodes Co. in Kalamazoo, Michigan and bottle spouts made by the Master Manufacturing Co. in Litchfield, Illinois.

Driving America
 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

87.194.26

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Glass (Material)
Cork (Bark)

Dimensions

Height: 15 in

Width: 9 in

Length: 18 in

Inscriptions

On spouts: THE / MASTER / MFG. CO / LITCHFIELD, /ILL. / PAT'D SEPT 14 1926 Handle of rack: JAY B. RHODES CO.

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