Flint Motometer, 1923-1927

01

Artifact Overview

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 Details

Artifact

Motometer

Date Made

1923-1927

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

81.99.23

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)

Dimensions

Height: 5.25 in
Width: 3.0 in
Thickness: 1.25 in

Inscriptions

On obverse and reverse of case: PATENTED / MAY-13-13 / MAR-17-14 / BOYCE / MOTO-METER / PATENTED / JULY-16-18 / AUG-13-18 / THE MOTOMETER CO. INC. / LONG ISLAND CITY N.Y. U.S.A. On obverse of insert: FLINT On reverse of insert: DANGER / STEAM / SUMMER / AVERAGE / TO AVOID EVAPORATING / NON FREEZE SOLUTION / OPERATE BELOW LINE / ALWAYS INVESTIGATE / ANY SUDDEN RISE / OF TEMPERATURE