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- Mobil Gas Pump, 1946-1960 - By the 1940s, "computing" pumps like this automatically calculated the amount of gasoline and the price. This type of pump did away with the price charts used by service station attendants. Mobil formed from a merger of Socony and Vacuum Oil in 1931 -- both with extensive networks of gas stations. Mobil began using Vacuum's flying red horse logo system-wide in 1934.
- 1946-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Mobil Gas Pump, 1946-1960
By the 1940s, "computing" pumps like this automatically calculated the amount of gasoline and the price. This type of pump did away with the price charts used by service station attendants. Mobil formed from a merger of Socony and Vacuum Oil in 1931 -- both with extensive networks of gas stations. Mobil began using Vacuum's flying red horse logo system-wide in 1934.
- "Shell Regular" Gasoline Pump Globe, 1948-1959 - Illuminated globes first appeared atop American gasoline pumps in 1912. They evolved over time from simple ball or pill shapes to more elaborate sculptures. Royal Dutch Shell Group used globes in the shape of the company's distinctive pecten shell logo. These globes not only attracted customers, they also provided light for pump attendants working at night.
- 1948-1959
- Collections - Artifact
"Shell Regular" Gasoline Pump Globe, 1948-1959
Illuminated globes first appeared atop American gasoline pumps in 1912. They evolved over time from simple ball or pill shapes to more elaborate sculptures. Royal Dutch Shell Group used globes in the shape of the company's distinctive pecten shell logo. These globes not only attracted customers, they also provided light for pump attendants working at night.
- "Treasure Island Itself - The Selling Equipment for Filling Stations," 1925 - This "Treasure Island" isn't from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate tale. By 1920, gasoline retailers determined that placing gas pumps on an "island" in front of the station, where drivers could approach from either side, was more efficient than mounting them on the station's wall. This equipment trade catalog features everything from air pumps to underground storage tanks.
- 1925
- Collections - Artifact
"Treasure Island Itself - The Selling Equipment for Filling Stations," 1925
This "Treasure Island" isn't from Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate tale. By 1920, gasoline retailers determined that placing gas pumps on an "island" in front of the station, where drivers could approach from either side, was more efficient than mounting them on the station's wall. This equipment trade catalog features everything from air pumps to underground storage tanks.
- Mack Tank Truck at Lehigh Valley Oil Co. Station, March 1934 - Founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1900, Mack Brothers Company relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1905 and adopted the name Mack Trucks in 1922. Mack-built tank trucks like this had separate compartments for gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, and other oil and petroleum products. The delivery trucks transported these products from distributors to gas stations.
- March 01, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Mack Tank Truck at Lehigh Valley Oil Co. Station, March 1934
Founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1900, Mack Brothers Company relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1905 and adopted the name Mack Trucks in 1922. Mack-built tank trucks like this had separate compartments for gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, and other oil and petroleum products. The delivery trucks transported these products from distributors to gas stations.
- Johnson's Magnolia Service Station, Houston, Texas, circa 1947 - Photographic cards like this one, with their glued-on labels, were a preliminary step taken by Dexter Press before producing postcards for small-business owners to mail or hand out. Mobil and its associated companies began using the "flying red horse" Pegasus logo system-wide in 1934. This Mobil-affiliated Magnolia service station featured the logo prominently.
- circa 1947
- Collections - Artifact
Johnson's Magnolia Service Station, Houston, Texas, circa 1947
Photographic cards like this one, with their glued-on labels, were a preliminary step taken by Dexter Press before producing postcards for small-business owners to mail or hand out. Mobil and its associated companies began using the "flying red horse" Pegasus logo system-wide in 1934. This Mobil-affiliated Magnolia service station featured the logo prominently.
- Conoco Gasoline Pump Globe, circa 1925 - 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.
- circa 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Conoco Gasoline Pump Globe, circa 1925
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.
- Standard Crown Visible Delivery Gasoline Pump, circa 1920 - Before visible gasoline pumps, drivers relied on the accuracy of the pump and the honesty of station owners. Visible pumps, like this circa 1920 example, used a graduated glass cylinder to show customers the quality and quantity of gas being purchased. Glass globes, like the Standard Oil red crown, usually topped the pumps and advertised a company's brand and name.
- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Standard Crown Visible Delivery Gasoline Pump, circa 1920
Before visible gasoline pumps, drivers relied on the accuracy of the pump and the honesty of station owners. Visible pumps, like this circa 1920 example, used a graduated glass cylinder to show customers the quality and quantity of gas being purchased. Glass globes, like the Standard Oil red crown, usually topped the pumps and advertised a company's brand and name.
- Manual Crank Gasoline Pump, circa 1915 - Gas pumps provide drivers with an easy way to put gasoline in their cars. This gas pump, made by Gilbert and Barker Manufacturing Company, dates from about 1915. Gilbert and Barker introduced the first measuring gas pump in 1911. Customers, however, could not see the gasoline. They had to rely on the pump's accuracy and the gas station owner's honesty.
- circa 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Manual Crank Gasoline Pump, circa 1915
Gas pumps provide drivers with an easy way to put gasoline in their cars. This gas pump, made by Gilbert and Barker Manufacturing Company, dates from about 1915. Gilbert and Barker introduced the first measuring gas pump in 1911. Customers, however, could not see the gasoline. They had to rely on the pump's accuracy and the gas station owner's honesty.
- Texaco "Fire-Chief" Gasoline Pump, circa 1940 - By the 1940s, drivers watched "computing" pumps like this Texaco Fire-Chief pump automatically calculate the amount of gasoline and the price. This type of pump did away with price charts used by service station attendants. Internal, calibrated gear sets turned numbered wheels allowing quick and easy fill ups and payments.
- circa 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Texaco "Fire-Chief" Gasoline Pump, circa 1940
By the 1940s, drivers watched "computing" pumps like this Texaco Fire-Chief pump automatically calculate the amount of gasoline and the price. This type of pump did away with price charts used by service station attendants. Internal, calibrated gear sets turned numbered wheels allowing quick and easy fill ups and payments.
- McCombe Motors Inc. Service Station, Ravenna, Ohio, circa 1935 - Service stations provided maintenance and repair services to motor vehicle owners. These facilities could be associated with an automobile dealership, or they might be part of a gas station. Automakers supported service attendants through training programs, regular bulletins, and specialized tools and equipment. By the late 20th century, car warranties required more repairs to be done at dealerships.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
McCombe Motors Inc. Service Station, Ravenna, Ohio, circa 1935
Service stations provided maintenance and repair services to motor vehicle owners. These facilities could be associated with an automobile dealership, or they might be part of a gas station. Automakers supported service attendants through training programs, regular bulletins, and specialized tools and equipment. By the late 20th century, car warranties required more repairs to be done at dealerships.