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Stop 18

Stop 18 at the Filling Station Museum, Quincy FL
18A- Citizens Ethyl & Bay Gas Pump Globes
18B- Texaco Star & Sky Chief Gasoline Globes
18C- Group of Texaco Promotional Airplanes
18D- Collection of Texaco Lubrication products

18A – Citizens Ethyl & Bay Gas Pump Globes

Citizens Ethyl and Bay Gas Pump Globes at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

Top Shelf- Left:

This Citizens Ethyl Gasoline globe features a dynamic blue leaping greyhound against a red and white backdrop, with “Citizens” and “Ethyl” in bold lettering. These globes were used atop gas pumps in the 1930s to 1950s to advertise Ethyl gasoline, a high-octane fuel additive known for boosting engine performance. The greyhound logo’s significance lies in its association with speed, a key selling point for Ethyl gasoline, which was marketed to racers and everyday drivers alike.
Citizens Gasoline was a regional brand in the northeastern U.S. in the early 20th century. During the 1930s and 1940s, it partnered with Ethyl Corporation to offer Ethyl gasoline, a leaded fuel that enhanced engine efficiency, catering to the rising demand from car owners.
Fun Fact:

How Things Have Changed:  The greyhound logo was inspired by the Greyhound bus line’s speed reputation.

Right: 

This Bay gas pum globe lit pumps from the 1920s to 1940s.Bay gasoline was a reliable fuel for Midwest farmers and drivers. The shield logo suggested strength and trust. 
Bay Petroleum Company was headquartered in Wisconsin and emerged in the 1910s as a regional oil player, focusing on the agricultural Midwest. By the 1920s, it supplied gasoline and lubricants to over 150 stations, competing with giants like Standard Oil. It was absorbed by larger firms in the 1950s.
Fun Fact:
Tractor Fuel Pioneer: Bay gasoline was one of the first fuels specifically tested for tractors, helping farmers power their machinery during the Great Depression. This fact was often highlighted in agricultural trade journals of the time.

18B -Texaco Star & Sky Chief Gasoline Globes

Texaco Star and Texaco Sky Chief Gas Pump Globes at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

Second Shelf From Top – Left:

This Texaco Gasoline globe features a white background with the iconic red star and green “T” at its center, framed by “TEXACO” in bold black lettering above. This globe was used atop gas pumps from the 1950s to 1960s to advertise Texaco’s standard gasoline.
Texaco, founded in 1901 as the Texas Company, grew into a petroleum giant by the mid-20th century. During the 1950s-1960s, the company modernized its branding with the red star logo to symbolize trust and quality. Operating thousands of stations nationwide, Texaco competed with Mobil and Gulf, offering not just fuel but a full service experience. Its 2001 merger with Chevron ended its independent run.
Fun Fact: 

Catchy Logo:

Texaco’s “Trust your car to the man who wears the star” campaign began in 1962.

Right:

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.
Fun Fact: 

Before Happy Meals:

In the 1950s, Texaco stations often gave away promotional items like Sky Chief-branded toy airplanes to children.

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.

18C -Group of Texaco Promotional Airplanes 

Group of Texaco Promotional Airplanes Vintage at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

3rd, 4th & 5th Shelves from Top:

These scale model airplanes were introduced in the 1930s as part of an innovative marketing strategy by Texaco. During this period, aviation was a symbol of technological progress, so Texaco had detailed miniature aircrafts produced to be used as promotions at filling stations. These models showcased popular aircraft designs such as biplanes, seaplanes and early monoplanes. The highly detailed models were designed to appeal to both children and adult collectors.
Fun Fact:

Better than 25 cents off each gallon on a fill up: These models were sometimes given away with a fill-up of 10 gallons or more, making them prized incentives. Some models were designed to mimic famous race planes, like those in the National Air Races of the 1930s.

These models celebrated the era’s aviation milestones, such as air races and record-breaking flights. They reflected the petroleum industry’s influence on American life during the Great Depression and World War II, when such promotional items provided a sense of optimism and escape. The models also highlighted the craftsmanship of the time, often produced by companies like Dinky Toys or Marx, under license from Texaco. 
Fun Fact:

Enduring Popularity: The promotional planes began in the 1930s and the biplane design was phased out by the 1940s. These planes were so popular that the designs were offered as die-cast metal coin banks in the 1990s as the “Wings of Texaco” collection by Ertl Collectables.

18D -Collection of Texaco Lubrication products

Group of vintage Texaco Lubrication related items displayed at Filling Station Museum, Quincy FL
The items in this collection are part of Texaco’s efforts to support and promote the automotive industry in the mid-20th century. The grease products, manufactured at Texaco’s Port Arthur refinery, were designed to lubricate vehicle water pumps and other mechanical components, ensuring reliable performance during a time when car ownership surged in the United States. The accompanying guidebooks, such as the “Texaco Lubrication Recommendation Handbook,” offered detailed instructions for mechanics and car owners, positioning Texaco as a leader in both product quality and customer education. These items were distributed through filling stations, enhancing Texaco’s visibility and trustworthiness in a competitive market.
This group of products reflected the post-war economic boom and the increasing importance of personal transportation. The grease cans and crate, often displayed prominently in garages, served as both functional tools and advertisements, while the guidebooks helped a growing number of car enthusiasts to maintain their vehicles. This era saw Texaco solidify its brand identity, with items like these becoming collectibles that evoke nostalgia for the golden age of American motoring.
Fun Fact:

Maybe a Missing Marvel Hero:

Some editions of the “Let us Marfak your Car” Guide (in the top right corner) featured a cartoon character, “Marfak Man,” to engage younger readers.

Top Right – “Let us Marfak your car” Guide: Texaco introduced the Marfak line of lubricants in the 1930s as a premium grease product, named after a combination of “marine” and “factory” to signify its versatility. By the 1940s, Texaco had established Marfak as a flagship product, supported by extensive marketing efforts, including the “Let us Marfak your car” campaign.

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