Conoco Visible Gasline Pump

Conoco's origins trace back to 1875 in Ogden, Utah, where Isaac Elder Blake founded the Continental Oil and Transportation Company (CO&T). Initially, CO&T focused on distributing kerosene, brought by rail from the East Coast, to pioneers in the West. The company grew, expanding operations and establishing headquarters in Denver, Colorado. In 1884, CO&T became an affiliate of Standard Oil, but regained its independence in 1913 after the Supreme Court's dissolution of Standard Oil in 1911. Continental Oil then expanded into the growing market for automobile gasoline, building its first service station in 1914 and venturing into oil production in 1916. In 1929, Conoco merged with the Marland Oil Company. The combined entity retained the name Continental Oil Company, though it was commonly known as Conoco, and established its headquarters in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

The Great Depression led Conoco to cut salaries and streamline operations, but it also saw the company expand its pipeline network with the Great Lakes pipeline and develop new products like the first lubricant to reduce engine friction. In the post-World War II era, Conoco diversified and expanded its exploration and production operations internationally and also ventured into coal, chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, and minerals, holding significant assets by 1972. In 2002, Conoco merged with Phillips Petroleum Company, forming ConocoPhillips. This created a large, integrated energy company engaged in exploration, production, transportation, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, and other related products worldwide.

On display is a Conoco Visible Gasline Pump which was common at Gas stations in the mid-1920s. The clear glass cylinder at the top allowed gas station attendants and customers to visually verify the amount of gasoline, using the numbers inside the cylinder, being dispensed. This is done because some customers felt like they weren't getting the amount of gas that they paid for using a “blind” pump. To operate this pump, you’ll need to pull the red handle on the side of the machine multiple times to get the desired amount of gas, and the gasoline will automatically, using gravity, pour into the customer’s gas tank.