A Nostalgic Look at Gas Stations: Gone But Not Forgotten
In this video, we take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about the good old days of gas stations. Gas stations used to be more than just a place to fill up your tank; they were social hubs where people gathered and caught up. The large signs atop the buildings distinguished one gas station brand from another, and everyone had their favorite.
Once you pulled up to a gas station, the first thing you noticed after the large sign was the mechanic bays that were attached to just about every station. Gas stations used to be more commonly called service stations, and that’s because many of them had at least one service bay equipped with the tools necessary to do everything from oil changes to brake replacements, and some even did complete engine overhauls. Service stations would often post a “mechanic on duty” sign out front to alert motorists with car trouble that assistance was available.
Gas station attendants, sometimes called “pump jockeys,” were as well-dressed as police officers or firefighters, right down to the snappy hat and bow tie. Not only did attendants pump gas, but part of their regular routine was to also automatically check under the hood. Checking the water in the radiator, battery terminals, tire pressure, and oil levels were common. Every attendant had a rag hanging out of his back pocket that he used to wipe down the oil dipstick, and then he’d present the dipstick to the driver for inspection. He would then pull out a squeegee and carefully clean those panoramic windshields of the era with just a few extra swipes, all of this was done whether the customer had purchased just 50 cents worth or a full tank of gas.
Gas station attendants had a roll of fives and singles in their shirt pocket so that they could easily make change. Just seeing that wad of cash made just about every kid at some point aspire to work at a gas station one day. Speaking of gasoline, the pumps were designed to never reach the unbelievable price of one dollar per gallon, so when this happened, station owners had to retrofit their pumps, and some made it easy on themselves just by doubling the price. Pumps at the time only had space for three digits in the price per gallon slot, and one of those digits was reserved for nine-tenths of a cent.
Gas stations today resemble more of a convenience store than the service station persona they once typified. Many of the amenities that we remember are dearly missed, and for those who grew up during this era, gas stations hold a special place in our hearts. Join us as we take a nostalgic look back at the gas stations of yesteryear, gone but not forgotten.
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