Conoco Gasoline Pump Globe, circa 1925

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Artifact Overview

Gas pump globes -- lighted glass spheres perched atop pumps -- first appeared in 1912. They evolved over time from simple ball or pill shapes to elaborate crowns, clover leafs, shells, and other forms. These globes not only attracted customers, they also provided light for pump attendants working at night. Globes disappeared in the 1950s as pump designs and marketing strategies changed.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Globe (Lighting device component)

Date Made

circa 1925

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

2005.113.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of W. Clark Miller.

Material

Glass (Material)

Color

White (Color)
Green
Red

Inscriptions

front and back center of globe: CONOCO above/ below Conoco on front and back: REG. U.S. / PAT. OFF. bottom of back of globe: MANUFACTURED IN U.S.A.