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- Oldsmobile Motometer, circa 1920 - 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.
- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile Motometer, circa 1920
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.
- Olds Motor Works Advertisement from June 1903, "The Oldsmobile All Over the World" - The Curved Dash Oldsmobile arguably was the world's first mass-produced automobile. By 1904, Olds Motor Works built 5,000 cars a year. At just $650, the little runabout was within the means of middle-class buyers. This 1903 advertisement promotes the Oldsmobile's wide use and availability. It also hints at the car's dependability: "Nothing to watch but the road."
- June 01, 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Olds Motor Works Advertisement from June 1903, "The Oldsmobile All Over the World"
The Curved Dash Oldsmobile arguably was the world's first mass-produced automobile. By 1904, Olds Motor Works built 5,000 cars a year. At just $650, the little runabout was within the means of middle-class buyers. This 1903 advertisement promotes the Oldsmobile's wide use and availability. It also hints at the car's dependability: "Nothing to watch but the road."
- "Makes Everyone Your Neighbor--the Oldsmobile" Olds Motor Works Advertisement, 1905 - From the beginning, carmakers directed some advertisements specifically to women. This 1905 Oldsmobile ad promoted the car's reliability and ease of operation. But it also advertised a more fundamental benefit for female drivers. With an automobile, women could escape the dull drudgery of the home and connect with friends anywhere. The Oldsmobile "makes everyone your neighbor."
- 1905
- Collections - Artifact
"Makes Everyone Your Neighbor--the Oldsmobile" Olds Motor Works Advertisement, 1905
From the beginning, carmakers directed some advertisements specifically to women. This 1905 Oldsmobile ad promoted the car's reliability and ease of operation. But it also advertised a more fundamental benefit for female drivers. With an automobile, women could escape the dull drudgery of the home and connect with friends anywhere. The Oldsmobile "makes everyone your neighbor."
- Olds Hubcap, 1918-1925 - Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.
- 1918-1925
- Collections - Artifact
Olds Hubcap, 1918-1925
Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.
- Advertisement, "It Costs 3/8 of a Cent to Travel in the Oldsmobile," 1903 - Ransom E. Olds wanted to manufacture inexpensive automobiles. This 1903 advertisement touts the curved dash Olds as the "cheapest reliable automobile in the world." His creation was the bestselling car in America from 1902 to 1905.
- July 01, 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement, "It Costs 3/8 of a Cent to Travel in the Oldsmobile," 1903
Ransom E. Olds wanted to manufacture inexpensive automobiles. This 1903 advertisement touts the curved dash Olds as the "cheapest reliable automobile in the world." His creation was the bestselling car in America from 1902 to 1905.
- Engineers M. S. Loomis and C. Wilson in Curved-Dash Oldsmobile outside Olds Motor Works Factory, Detroit, Michigan, 1901 - Shortly after the company moved to Detroit, a fire destroyed the Olds Motor Works factory in 1901. Several prototype automobiles were lost and only the Curved Dash survived. Left with no other options, Olds put the small, inexpensive car into production. The little runabout became the bestselling car in the United States, and that fire became the happiest of accidents.
- 1901
- Collections - Artifact
Engineers M. S. Loomis and C. Wilson in Curved-Dash Oldsmobile outside Olds Motor Works Factory, Detroit, Michigan, 1901
Shortly after the company moved to Detroit, a fire destroyed the Olds Motor Works factory in 1901. Several prototype automobiles were lost and only the Curved Dash survived. Left with no other options, Olds put the small, inexpensive car into production. The little runabout became the bestselling car in the United States, and that fire became the happiest of accidents.
- Oldsmobile 1-cylinder Engine, circa 1903 - This single-cylinder, four-horsepower engine powered the Oldsmobile Curved Dash runabout. It has one cylinder, one piston, one connecting rod and crank, one balance wheel, and two valves. The complications of larger multi-cylinder engines were eliminated. The engine's simplicity and the vehicle's affordable $650 price made the Curved Dash runabout America's first car produced in large numbers.
- circa 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile 1-cylinder Engine, circa 1903
This single-cylinder, four-horsepower engine powered the Oldsmobile Curved Dash runabout. It has one cylinder, one piston, one connecting rod and crank, one balance wheel, and two valves. The complications of larger multi-cylinder engines were eliminated. The engine's simplicity and the vehicle's affordable $650 price made the Curved Dash runabout America's first car produced in large numbers.
- March 1903 Olds Motor Works Advertisement, "No Accidents with the Oldsmobile" - Advertisements for the Curved Dash Olds, built from 1901 to 1907, often focused on the little car's advantages over horse-drawn transportation. This 1903 ad from <em>Harper's</em> magazine cautioned readers that the horse had an uncertain temperament and, if frightened, it could cause accidents. By contrast, the mechanical Oldsmobile gave drivers "a sense of perfect security."
- March 01, 1903
- Collections - Artifact
March 1903 Olds Motor Works Advertisement, "No Accidents with the Oldsmobile"
Advertisements for the Curved Dash Olds, built from 1901 to 1907, often focused on the little car's advantages over horse-drawn transportation. This 1903 ad from Harper's magazine cautioned readers that the horse had an uncertain temperament and, if frightened, it could cause accidents. By contrast, the mechanical Oldsmobile gave drivers "a sense of perfect security."
- Packard Motor Car Company and Olds Motor Works Advertisements, 1904 - Advertisements for Packard and Oldsmobile appear on this page taken from a 1904 magazine. Like most early automobile ads, the copy focuses on reputation, performance, and price. The Packard advertisement is an early example of racing as a marketing tool, while the Olds ad makes a specific appeal to city-dwelling customers.
- 1904
- Collections - Artifact
Packard Motor Car Company and Olds Motor Works Advertisements, 1904
Advertisements for Packard and Oldsmobile appear on this page taken from a 1904 magazine. Like most early automobile ads, the copy focuses on reputation, performance, and price. The Packard advertisement is an early example of racing as a marketing tool, while the Olds ad makes a specific appeal to city-dwelling customers.