1-2003-super

Monthly Feature January 2003

Supertest Gas Pump Globes When Supertest opened their first stations in 1923 they used generic gasoline pump globes, as seen in the photo above. These globes read "Visible Measure", referring to the idea that customers were able to see what they were purchasing. The pumps at this newly opened station (above) were a very early version made by Canada Vulcanizer, a company co-founded in London , Ontario by Supertest president J. Gordon Thompson . Supertest's first station , on Dundas Street east in London , was purchased as a going concern . Opening day photos of that station , shown on the "Photos" page depict early Philip Gies (Canadian Fry) pumps in use. While one pump is topped with a "Visible Measure"one piece milk glass globe, the other uses a one piece chimney top globe reading "Guarenteed Measure", a trademark of the Philip Gies Pump Company of Kitchener, Ontario, under licence to the Fry Pump Company. Notice also, in that photo, round 'ball type' globes on curbside lamp posts with the word "Supertest". While not really a pump globe, a Supertest globe none the less. Another early photo, the May 1925 opening of the new station and Head Office at Pall Mall and Richmond St. in London, reveals one-piece milk-glass globes emblazoned with just one word: "Supertest". I consider these to be the first true Supertest globe but it may have been homemade or a local artists work. I also have another photo of this style at another station. Unfortunately, these photos are too dark to copy. I believe another year or two would pass before Supertest was able to design and register a logo and have their own globes manufactured.

One Piece Supertest Globe I believe this is the next style of the Supertest globes, probably about 1926. Originally, Supertest sold only one grade of gasoline. I apologize for the poor quality of this photo , but it was scanned from a colour photocopy that had a crease where it had been folded.

Three piece Supertest High Compression Gasoline globe Supertest Petroleum Corp. registered the name "High Compression" in 1926. High Compression was Supertest's No.1 grade of gasoline. The image is that of an inverted spark plug , igniting the fuel mixture. I believe Supertest preferred the 3 pc. glass globes with the wide body. Since this logo originated circa 1926 , it is possible it was also available as a one piece glass globe for a few years. Can anyone verify this?

Three piece glass Supertest Ethyl globe I am not sure just when Supertest began adding tetraethyl - lead , the product of the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation, to their gasoline, but White Rose began in 1929. I suspect Supertest may have began about the same time. Supertest Ethyl Gasoline globes appear in photos from the early 1930's, followed by a period, according to a 1938 invoice, with both Ethyl and High Compression available, as well as an 'economy gasoline'. However, my 1930's station photos do not show High Compression globes. Photos and pre-printed invoices from the late 40's and very early 50's, indicate Supertest stopped using the "Ethyl" globe and brought back "High Compression" globes to indicate the No.1 grade . This is only my interpretation and your comments on the matter are invited !

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Supertest registered the "Wonder" Gasoline brand in 1932 Again , a 3-piece wide bodied glass globe. "Wonder" was the No.2 or regular grade gasoline. While quite similar , the globe on the left was outlined in orange, where the one on the right is highlighted in red. The quality of the quotation marks is much better on the left.

This is a fantasy globe, currently produced for pump restorers. Based on the design of an original Supertest transfer , this globe was never used by Supertest With "Special Thanks" to Noel Hamer for the colour photos, and Alan McKinney for his research and assistance.

Pump island photo from the Spring 1951 "Maple Leaf" dealer magazine Several details can be found in this photo. Lamp posts, each with a windshield service cabinet and Supertest decal guard the ends of the concrete pump island. A "Wonder" Gasoline globe adorns the Gilbarco pump on the left, while a High Compression globe once again tops the No.1 grade pump with "Ethyl"decal. Note the paint scheme of the pumps; orange with black top and bottom and an ad glass with black background . This may aid pump restorations of this era . A Supertest "Refinery Sealed"oil can rack joins 16 and 8 bottle racks of bulk oil. Supertest issued globes to their dealers well into the fifties and I'm sure some remote stations may have used these last issues for many years to come. Conversely, a 1948 "Maple Leaf" dealer magazine features a beautifully decorated Supertest station, yet no globes were used on the pumps. Possibly , the use of globes was the dealers choice . Wartime shortages may also have played a factor in availibility during that era.

I thought this was a fitting image to conclude this Monthly Feature. This fellow has the precarious task of balancing on a wooden step-ladder, servicing a double Service Station Equipment Pump. Three piece globes are very heavy and require a true balancing act perched upon the ladder. Note the "Wonder"and "Ethyl" globes, and the uniform of the day. (Photo circa 1937) Return to the Supertest Monthly Feature index

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