Cadillac Motometer, circa 1925

Summary

Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Moto-Meter Co. Inc. dominated the American market, producing the popular Boyce motometer and others featuring an automotive manufacturer's name or logo.

Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Moto-Meter Co. Inc. dominated the American market, producing the popular Boyce motometer and others featuring an automotive manufacturer's name or logo.

Artifact

Motometer

Date Made

circa 1925

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

81.99.41

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

White metal
Glass (Material)

Dimensions

Height: 5.125 in

Width: 3 in

Length: 1.25 in

Inscriptions

obverse and reverse of case: BOYCE / MOTOMETER

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