Buick Motometer and Radiator Cap, circa 1925
THF153287 / Buick Motometer and Radiator Cap, circa 1925
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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
circa 1925
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
81.99.37
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Glass (Material)
Dimensions
Height: 5.25 in
Width: 3 in
Thickness: 3.25 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: BUICK
On reverse of insert: DANGER STEAM / SUMMER AVERAGE / A COOL MOTOR CAUSES / GASOLINE WASTE / USE RADIATOR COVER / A SUDDEN RISE / INDICATES TROUBLE / STOP AND INVESTIGATE / COOL MOTOR
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