Some fun history on gas pumps
Early days of pumps were interesting, most folks did not own cars
and typical use for fuel was limited to kerosene being popular
and the pumps were delivering both.
In the old days kerosene or gas was bought in measured containers.
Quart was a quart and a gallon was a gallon.
Many Americans were illiterate and not so tuned into math..
the elevated clear tank was a hand pump to fill the clear tank
to a particular level then gravity dumped your fuel into your container,
predetermined Measured by volume and paid for as promised.
Specific amount for a specific volume. The rule was set.
As pumps were being improved the fuel was delivered
by pumping fuel into a high sitting glass tank with measured readings.
Folks were getting smarter but still wary of being scammed.
Depression era meant that pinching pennies was a big deal
and if you bought 20 cents worth of fuel you wanted proof you got 20 cents worth
or whatever you were buying.
As time went on and pumps were more common
manufactures wanted tighter inventory and the mechanical computers were introduced.
The turning numbers showed your purchase and volume.
Funny though, folks were still a little shy and afraid of being taken for a ride...they were used to seeing a clear tank filled to a specific mark. Manufactures couldn’t quickly eliminate the idea of a “Yep” “ sight glass” !! visible clear volume tank. This meant the pumps not only had a numberd computer but a smaller familiar modified sight glass....slow introduction phasing out the sight glass. But slowdown nelly,, can’t push the folks too hard to fast with changes...the clear high tank was scaled down to a clear bulb while the customer pumped fuel they saw the bulb fill with gas and the small paddles spinning fins meant you were getting fuel and you could see it flowing and the computer clicked the numbers and volume. Once both stopped you were confident you got a fair shake on your purchase. If you hit 20 cents on the meter and fins stopped spinning you were pretty sure it was an honest 20 cent purchase.
As time went on and times were better people relaxed a bit and the glass bulb was smaller, as folks learned the computers could be trusted the clear bulbs were phased out.
If your buying older pumps you can judge age to some degree by the fuel sight glass.
Smaller the glass or no glass the newer the pump in most cases.
Early days of pumps were interesting, most folks did not own cars
and typical use for fuel was limited to kerosene being popular
and the pumps were delivering both.
In the old days kerosene or gas was bought in measured containers.
Quart was a quart and a gallon was a gallon.
Many Americans were illiterate and not so tuned into math..
the elevated clear tank was a hand pump to fill the clear tank
to a particular level then gravity dumped your fuel into your container,
predetermined Measured by volume and paid for as promised.
Specific amount for a specific volume. The rule was set.
As pumps were being improved the fuel was delivered
by pumping fuel into a high sitting glass tank with measured readings.
Folks were getting smarter but still wary of being scammed.
Depression era meant that pinching pennies was a big deal
and if you bought 20 cents worth of fuel you wanted proof you got 20 cents worth
or whatever you were buying.
As time went on and pumps were more common
manufactures wanted tighter inventory and the mechanical computers were introduced.
The turning numbers showed your purchase and volume.
Funny though, folks were still a little shy and afraid of being taken for a ride...they were used to seeing a clear tank filled to a specific mark. Manufactures couldn’t quickly eliminate the idea of a “Yep” “ sight glass” !! visible clear volume tank. This meant the pumps not only had a numberd computer but a smaller familiar modified sight glass....slow introduction phasing out the sight glass. But slowdown nelly,, can’t push the folks too hard to fast with changes...the clear high tank was scaled down to a clear bulb while the customer pumped fuel they saw the bulb fill with gas and the small paddles spinning fins meant you were getting fuel and you could see it flowing and the computer clicked the numbers and volume. Once both stopped you were confident you got a fair shake on your purchase. If you hit 20 cents on the meter and fins stopped spinning you were pretty sure it was an honest 20 cent purchase.
As time went on and times were better people relaxed a bit and the glass bulb was smaller, as folks learned the computers could be trusted the clear bulbs were phased out.
If your buying older pumps you can judge age to some degree by the fuel sight glass.
Smaller the glass or no glass the newer the pump in most cases.