Thursday Trivia

Robert Emslie

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Welcome to Thursday Trivia where we offer up a historical automotive trivia question and you try  and solve it before seeing the answer after the jump. I know, I’m excited too!

This week’s question is: Who opened the Nation’s first drive-thru gas station, and where in the U.S. was it located? 

If you know the answer, make the jump to see if you are correct. See, you don’t even need to have any Google-fu for this one.

Gulf Gas Station

Per explorehistory.com: 

In 1913, Gulf Refining Company opened the nation’s first drive-in service station at the corner of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in Pittsburgh PA. The pagoda-style brick facility offered free air, water, crankcase service, and tire and tube installation. On its first day, the station sold 30 gallons of gasoline at 27 cents per gallon. On its first Saturday, Gulf’s new service station pumped 350 gallons of gasoline.

 

Image source: explorehistory

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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21 responses to “Thursday Trivia”

  1. Stu_Rock Avatar
    Stu_Rock

    That's $6.35 per gallon in 2013 dollars.

    Reply
    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      But that 1913 quarter has $3.35 in silver and the two pennies would have $0.04 worth of copper in them for $3.39(2013 dollars)/gal. about the going rate around where I live.

      Reply
  2. LeDominic Avatar
    LeDominic

    In 1913, Gulf Refining Company opened the nation’s first drive-in service station at the corner of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in Pittsburgh PA ????

    Reply
    1. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      This isn't Jeopardy!, you don't need to respond in the form of a question.

      Reply
  3. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    A vast improvement over the earlier non-drive through gas stations.

    Reply
    1. mdharrell Avatar
      mdharrell

      An even greater improvement over the earlier drive-through no-gas stations.

      Reply
      1. OA5599 Avatar
        OA5599

        They still have those, if you don't count the gas caused by the microwave burritos.
        <img src="http://www.stillscenes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hp_soul_food_crash_2-620×447.jpg"&gt;

        Reply
        1. dukeisduke Avatar
          dukeisduke

          Mmmmm… burritos.

          Reply
        2. Alff Avatar
          Alff

          A Raptor would have made it through.

          Reply
          1. Van_Sarockin Avatar
            Van_Sarockin

            Same, if you'd been to Taco Bell.

  4. MVEilenstein Avatar
    MVEilenstein

    I instantly recognized that slogan: "Good Gulf Gasoline." From THE greatest blues guitarist of all time:
    [youtube TOXXh24HnmY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOXXh24HnmY youtube]
    Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
    Me and my babe bought a V-8 Ford
    Well we wind that thing all on the runnin board, yes
    Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
    Yes she got'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot,
    yes she got'em for sale
    They're too hot boy!
    Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes, now she got em for sale
    You know the monkey, now the baboon playin in the grass
    Well the monkey stuck his finger in that old 'Good Gulf Gas', now
    Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
    Yes she got'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot,

    Reply
  5. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    I can remember my dad pulling in the neighborhood Gulf station, and telling the attendant, "Fill 'er up with Good Gulf".

    Reply
    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      The station (white and blue porcelain-enameled steel) is still there, but with a now-defunct bank built onto the back of it.
      http://goo.gl/maps/XB09N

      Reply
      1. MVEilenstein Avatar
        MVEilenstein

        Several cool old buildings right there. Love the architecture and signage at Belmont Garage. Plus, 59 Impala and a brown 77 El Camino!

        Reply
        1. dukeisduke Avatar
          dukeisduke

          I suspect the '59 Impala belongs to Ray Lewis (the owner). My mom used to take her '78 Malibu there for service, but they got annoyed with her after awhile, because she always wanted someone to give her courtesy rides to and from her house. They didn't do that. Ray was a real nice, easygoing guy, but everyone has their limits.

          Reply
          1. MVEilenstein Avatar
            MVEilenstein

            I'd want to ride in a 59 Impala, too.

      2. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        I'd convert it to a steakhouse and call it "Belmont Steaks".

        Reply
        1. dead_elvis Avatar
          dead_elvis

          You might be able to use that name without hassle, since this one's closed.
          http://www.yelp.com/biz/belmont-steaks-glendale

          Reply
  6. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    One blog that I have enjoyed reading lately is The Old Motor.
    http://theoldmotor.com/
    Plenty of ol' timey stuff. Really quite cool.

    Reply
    1. Number_Six Avatar
      Number_Six

      On a side note, I saw a mint condition unmolested NSX riding on stock wheels today. I wanted to chase him down and thank him on behalf of all of us.

      Reply
  7. best essay Avatar
    best essay

    The world has revolutionized a great deal and life has ended up extremely busy so now you don't need to invest time on doing little assignments like essay writing for yourself. Anyone can avail the services of essay writing and can get an excellent written essay by them.

    Reply