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National Auto Museum, Reno - 1924 visible gas pump (Richfield)

The Museum's placard for this gas pump reads:

 

WAYNE 515

 

Manufactured by: Wayne Oil Tank and Pump Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana

 

This is an example of a visible pump that was built in 1924. These pumps first appeared around 1915. Gasoline was pumped from underground tanks into a visible glass cylinder above the pump. The operator watched the level of gas in the cylinder and stopped the flow when the gas reached the desired gallons.

 

The pump mechanisms on visible pumps could be operated by three different methods: manual hand operated (like the pump seen here), electric motor-driven, or air-operated.

 

Many states banned visible pumps because of fire hazards and inaccurate measurements. Clock meter pumps replaced visible pumps in the 1930s.

 

Donated by: Rod Smith

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Uploaded on September 20, 2008
Taken on July 31, 2008