Images(8)

ornament

Object NameAutomobile Hood Ornament with Thermometer

Manufacturer Moto-Meter Co. Inc.

Manufacturer(thermometer tubing) Corning Inc.

Made FromMetal, Glass

Date1920-1929

Place MadeUnited States, NY, Long Island City

SizeOverall H: 12 cm, W: 19 cm, D: 7.2 cm

Accession Number2016.8.34

Curatorial Area(s)

Exhibitions

Corning Little Joe Tube Tower: Tin Pan Time Machine Project

On ViewThe Jerome and Lucille Strauss Study Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

"Warning!" In the early days of motoring, engine issues could spell big trouble for motorists without cell phones. Mounted on a car's radiator cap, a MotoMeter warned of rising engine temperatures and potential engine issues. This ornamental Boyce MotoMeter was made for Ford cars; Corning supplied the thermometer tubes.

Physical DescriptionAutomobile Hood Ornament with Thermometer. Metal hood ornament with wings and shield; woman holding a laurel and a serpent staff shown within shield. Circular disk housing a glass thermometer set atop hood ornament. Front of disk inscribed, "BOYCE / MOTOMETER / MADE ESPECIALLY FOR THE / FORD CAR / THE MOTO-METER CO. INC. LONG ISLAND CITY. NY. U.S.A.".
Provenance

Source Rakow Library, Corning Museum of Glass - 2016-05-06-2016-06-24