Stop 16
16A- Sky Chief Gas Pump Globe & Texaco Gas Globe
16B- That Good Gulf & Gulf Gas Pump Globe
16C- Gulf Marine White Pump globe & Promotional Items
16D- Piece from Clock Face of Gadsden county courthouse
16A – Sky Chief Pump Globe & Texaco Pump Globe
Top Shelf – Left:
This Texaco Sky Chief Gas Pump Globe, measuring 14″ x 16″ with a plastic frame, is a well-preserved example of 1950s petroliana. These globes were mounted atop gas pumps at service stations, serving as both a functional light source and a striking advertisement to attract customers.
Texaco’s Sky Chief was named to evoke the thrill of aviation and the Sky Chief logo font was designed to mimic the sleek, aerodynamic style of 1930s airplane lettering.
Texaco introduced Sky Chief gasoline in the 1930s as a premium fuel option, marketed for its high octane and superior performance, particularly for luxury cars and long-distance travel. The Sky Chief branding was significant for its association with aviation-inspired performance, tying into Texaco’s sponsorship of air races and its role as a supplier of aviation fuel.
Fun Fact:
Before Happy Meals:
In the 1950s, Texaco stations often gave away promotional items like Sky Chief-branded toy airplanes to children.
Right:
This Texaco Red Star Gas Pump Globe, measuring 14″ x 16″, features a plastic frame with a metal collar at the base, typical of 1940s designs. The “REG.T.M.” marking indicates its registered trademark, a detail from Texaco’s early branding efforts. The globe’s bold design was intended to catch the eye of passing motorists, serving as both a beacon and a symbol of Texaco’s widespread presence at service stations.
Fun Fact:
Symbol of Home:
Texaco’s red star was incorporated into military insignia during WWII, appearing on fuel drums for the U.S. Army. The Texaco red star was a well-known symbol, and its appearance on military equipment helped to quickly identify the source of fuel.
Texaco began using the red star logo in the early 1900s, and by the 1940s, it was a well-established symbol of the brand. These globes were placed on top of gas pumps to illuminate the station and advertise Texaco’s standard gasoline offerings. The metal collar at the base provided durability, as these globes were exposed to the elements. The red star became synonymous with Texaco’s promise of quality fuel, making it one of the most recognizable logos in the oil industry.
16B – That Good Gulf Gas Pump Globe & Gulf Gas Pump Globe
Second Shelf From Top – Left:
Gulf “That Good Gulf Gasoline” Pump Globe (circa 1930s): This 12″ x 15″ glass pump globe showcases Gulf’s early branding with the slogan “That Good Gulf Gasoline” in bold black lettering. The design, featuring a white background with orange accents, reflects the company’s focus on quality and reliability, a hallmark of Gulf’s marketing during the early automotive era.
Introduced in the 1930s, this style of pump globe was used atop gas pumps at Gulf service stations to advertise their gasoline. The globes were typically illuminated from within, making them visible to drivers day or night, serving as both a functional light and a promotional tool. The “That Good Gulf Gasoline” slogan was a key part of Gulf’s branding, emphasizing dependability during a time when car ownership was rapidly growing.
Fun Fact:
Catchy Tune:
The “That Good Gulf Gasoline” slogan was featured in radio jingles, a new advertising medium at the time, reaching a wide audience.
Right:
Gulf Orange Disc Pump Globe (circa 1960s): This 11″ x 13″ glass pump globe features Gulf’s iconic orange disc logo with the word “GULF” in bold black letters. The minimalist design, introduced in the late 1950s, reflects a modernized approach to branding, emphasizing simplicity and visibility during a period of rapid growth in the automotive industry.
This style of Gulf pump globe became prominent in the 1960s, used on gas pumps to advertise Gulf’s gasoline at service stations nationwide. The orange disc logo, introduced in 1959, marked a shift toward a more modern and streamlined brand identity, moving away from the busier designs of earlier decades.
Fun Fact:
They Were Having A Ball:
In the 1960s, Gulf stations gave away branded beach balls with the orange disc logo as summer promotional items. Gulf stations in the 1960s often displayed giant inflatable orange discs as eye-catching promotional decorations.
16C -Gulf Marine White Gas Pump Globe & Marine White Promotional Items
3rd Shef from Top- Center:
Gulf Marine White Gas Pump Globe (circa 1940s): Introduced in the 1940s, the Gulf Marine White Gas Pump Globe was used at Gulf service stations, particularly those near coastal or lake areas, to advertise a specialized gasoline formulated for marine engines. These globes were mounted atop gas pumps, often illuminated to attract boat owners needing fuel for their vessels. The “Marine White” branding signified a leaded gasoline with additives designed to prevent corrosion and improve performance in marine environments, a critical feature for boats operating in saltwater. The orange disc logo, introduced in the late 1930s, was significant for its association with Gulf’s broader branding strategy, symbolizing reliability and performance across various fuel types
Fun Fact:
Pinkies Out:
Gulf sponsored a series of yacht races in the 1940s, often featuring the Marine White branding on banners. Gulf’s 1940s advertising for Marine White often featured images of luxury yachts, appealing to affluent boaters.
Other Promotional Items:
These promotional materials were part of Gulf’s marketing strategy in the 1940s and 1950s to target the recreational boating market. The miniature gas pump was a novelty item, often given away or sold as a keepsake to reinforce brand loyalty among boaters. The “Harbors of the South” booklet, published in 1954, served as both a practical guide for boaters and a promotional tool, linking Gulf’s Marine White fuel to key boating destinations. The framed advertisement and sign were displayed at Gulf stations or marinas, directly marketing the fuel to boat owners by highlighting its specialized formulation for marine use.
Fun Fact:
Fishermen’s Choice:
The company produced Marine White-branded fishing lures as promotional giveaways in the 1950s. Gulf’s Marine White ads in the 1940s often included testimonials from fishermen.
In the 1940s, Gulf Oil Corporation was a leading oil company with a strong presence in the U.S. and abroad. The company was heavily involved in World War II efforts, supplying fuel for Allied forces, including marine fuel for naval vessels, which bolstered its reputation in the marine sector. Gulf’s Marine White gasoline was part of its diversified product line, catering to the growing recreational boating market post-war. During this period, Gulf also expanded its refining capabilities, ensuring products like Marine White met the specific needs of marine engines, while its marketing emphasized technical reliability.
Fun Fact:
Florida Has A Lot of Coastline:
The “Harbors of the South” booklet series ran annually in the 1950s, each year featuring a different coastal region.
The “Harbors of the South” booklet included Gulf station locations, encouraging boaters to refuel at Gulf marinas.
16D -Piece from Clock Face of Gadsden County Courthouse
This artifact is a framed piece of the original clock face from the Gadsden County Courthouse, located in Quincy, Florida. Built in 1913, the courthouse is a historic landmark and a symbol of the county’s heritage. The clock face, once a central feature of the courthouse’s iconic clock tower, was damaged during a major storm that caused the clock face on one side to break.
Fun Fact:
This county was named after James Gadsden, grandson of Revolutionary War hero Christopher Gadsden, famed for the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag:
James Gadsden is most famous for negotiating the Gadsden Purchase in 1853 as U.S. Minister to Mexico, acquiring 29,670 square miles of land for $10 million to secure a southern railroad route.
The Gadsden County Courthouse was construction in 1912-1913. Designed by Atlanta architect Hal F. Hentz in the Classical Revival style, the two-story buff-colored brick and stone building features a prominent octagonal cupola with a clock tower. Established on one of Florida’s oldest county government sites since 1827, the courthouse has served as the seat of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, hosting trials and community events for over a century. The building underwent a significant restoration in 1997 and remains a historic landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fun Fact:
All About the Bells:
The term “clock” originates from the medieval Latin “clocca,” meaning “bell,” reflecting their historical role in ringing bells to mark time.
When the Gadsden County Courthouse was built in 1913, its centrally located clock served as a vital timekeeping tool and symbol of civic pride for Quincy’s residents, who relied on it to coordinate daily life before personal watches were widespread. Acting as a landmark and meeting point, the clock reflected the town’s prosperity and community spirit, its chimes guiding work, prayer, and social gatherings in an era without modern communication. This artifact, a piece of that historic clock face damaged by a storm, encapsulates the courthouse’s role as a cultural and functional hub in early 20th-century Middle Florida.
Fun Fact:
Read that again…1386:
The oldest working clock in the world is the Salisbury Cathedral Clock in Salisbury, England, dating back to 1386.
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