HELLO AND WELCOME TO "COMPANY OF THE MONTH" FOR FEBRUARY 2006.
I AM BASICALLY TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FILL IN THE MONTH
WITH A "STAND-BY" COTM SINCE I COULDN'T FIND ANY MEMBERS TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS MONTH. I WILL BE DOING "QUAKER STATE" WHICH I'M SURE IS A WELL KNOWN MOTOR OIL BRAND EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT HAVE TRUE NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
MOST OF MY IMAGES ARE THRU EBAY
AND HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL FROM THE INETRNET. I HOPE SOME OF YOU CAN POST YOUR QUAKER STATE ITEMS THRUOUGHOUT THE MONTH.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR LOOKING AND/OR ADDING TO THIS C.O.T.M!

DOC @ TAG.WEST

QUAKER STATE : A History of Industry Leadership

Quaker State is a world-class leader in providing quality lubricants and complete lubricant services for both commercial and consumer market segments. The company's rich history begins in 1859 with a small marketing company that produced petroleum products to lubricate steam engines, machinery and wagons. In 1913, Chicago entrepreneur and stockbroker Charles Pape brought together 19 small oil companies in Oil City, Pennsylvania to create a new corporation, Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation.

As the nation entered the mechanical age, oil became the lifeblood of industry and transportation. Companies such as Quaker State found consumers clamoring for its products. The invention of the "horseless carriage" resulted in specific product innovations required by the new internal combustion engines. Automobile makers quickly discovered that engine efficiency increased with high operating temperatures, yet no oil on the market could handle the heat. The Franklin Automobile Company was desperate for a quality motor oil for its cars. Quaker State sent the company samples of its new, high-quality oil and it proved so successful that from 1914 on, every Franklin leaving the factory was fitted with a custom five-quart can of Quaker State motor oil under the front seat.

With a focus of staying ahead of industrial developments and continually making product improvements, Quaker State set the stage for rapid growth. In 1936, the Standard Oil Company (now Exxon) became Quaker State's exclusive sales agency in the Midwest. Soon after, all Standard Oil stations across the nation exclusively offered Quaker State motor oil. World War II caused the demand for Quaker State products to reach new heights. The military favored the Quaker State brand because the company had already begun to develop and use additives to make improved and special blends that provided superior performance. In 1940 and 1941, the company introduced "Stabilized Quaker State Motor Oil" and "Quaker State HD, High Detergency Oil." Advertisements to consumers touted Quaker State as the "the champagne of motor oils."

After the war, automakers began to increase horsepower and the size of cars. Keeping pace with these developments, Quaker State products included a combination of anti-wear, anti-rust, anti-corrosive and high detergency properties. During the mid-'50s, Quaker State began marketing its products through the new burgeoning mass merchandise retailers. Supporting this broad new base of distribution, the advertising slogan, "Quaker State your car," made the brand a household name.

CONTINUED.........

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 02-01-2006).]

The Corporation's first diversification came in 1964 when Quaker State acquired Truck-Lite Company, a firm specializing in safety lighting for the commercial trucking industry. This was representative of the company's belief in actively pursuing business opportunities that capitalized on its strong sales, distribution and customer service competencies in the automotive aftermarket. Innovation and growth continued through the '70s and '80s with Quaker State shaking up the industry again in 1984 when it became the first motor oil sold in convenient, economical plastic bottles. The bottles have continued to evolve, with the introduction of environment-conscious bottles that incorporate 20 percent recycled plastic and fully recyclable in-mold plastic labels in 1992. Also, the color of the new bottles changed from traditional white to green. Quaker State expanded into the consumer service sector in 1985 when it bought Minit-Lube Inc., which later became Q-Lube, but closed after the Pennzoil-Quaker State merger.

A new Quaker State was born in June of 1993 when Herbert M. Baum assumed the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The impact of Baum's vision for the company became readily visible with a new logo, exciting promotions, new products, additional company acquisitions and an increased dedication to complete customer service. Among the important acquisitions was Specialty Oil Companies of Shreveport, LA. This firm's broad product line included a wide range of industrial lubricants and a strong private label manufacturing capability. In addition, its distribution system greatly enhanced the overall Quaker State system. Specialty Environmental Services greatly enhanced Quaker State 's "green" capabilities, particularly in the field of waste oil collection and recycling. These services not only assist Quick Lube operations, they also enable the newly formed Fleet, Commercial and Industrial (FCI) division to provide its customers with complete lubricant service.

In 1996, Quaker State expanded its consumer product offering by acquiring Slick 50, the Houston-based maker of Slick 50 Automotive Engine Treatment and a full line of other specialty chemical treatments for the automotive and industrial markets. With the largest market share and annual sales of approximately $80 million, Slick 50 is the number-one brand in the engine treatment category. In February of 1997, Quaker State cemented its leadership position in the category by purchasing T-Plus Engine Treatment that held the number three position. Further capitalizing on its sales, distribution and customer service expertise in the automotive aftermarket arena, Quaker State acquired Blue Coral in June of 1996.

Quaker Supreme Chemical Corporation of Montgomery, AL also joined the Quaker State family in June. Its Quaker Supreme and private label brands of automotive chemicals and lubricants further leveraged Quaker State 's existing business, especially as a supplier of brake fluids. The Medo Companies; headquartered in Tarrytown, NY were added to the Quaker State family in August of the same year. Medo is a world leader in the design and manufacture of air freshener products for use in automobiles. 1997 was a very active year for the company, especially in the realm of product acquisitions. T-Plus Engine Treatment was added to Quaker State 's product offering in February. The entire line of window sun protection products and automotive accessories from Axius Holdings, LP was acquired in August and Rain-X glass coatings and treatments were added in November of that year. Quaker State also sold two portions of its business including the last of its refineries. This facility in West Virginia was sold to Ergon, Inc. Truck-Lite, the firm's vehicular lighting subsidiary, was also sold. The agreement to sell to Penske Capital Partners was announced in October.

On December 30, 1998, Quaker State Corporation was merged with Pennzoil Company's marketing, manufacturing and fast oil change businesses to form Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, a worldwide leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care.

On October 1, 2002, the acquisition of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company by Shell Oil Company, an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, was completed. In May of 2003, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company began doing business as SOPUS Products. Combining Shell lubricant's networks and infrastructure and Pennzoil-Quaker State Company's leading motor oil brands, portfolio of car care brands and Jiffy Lube stores, the new company is a leader in the U.S. lubricants and car care business.

Check out SIGN OF THE MONTH for some interesting QUAKER STATE signs
http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001165.html
Robert

HERE ARE SOME MISC PAPER RELATED QUAKER STATE ITEMS...







THANKS FOR L@@KING!

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 02-03-2006).]

THE STERLING BRAND WAS QUAKER STATE'S GASOLINE BRAND UNTIL 1960 AND THEN JUST BECAME QUAKER STATE AND STILL IS TODAY IN A SMALL MARKET LIMITED TO THE STATES OF PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO.

HERE ARE SOME STERLING PAPER ITEMS:




ROAD MAP FRONT


ROAD MAP BACK

(COURTESY OF BOB STEPHENS, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA.)

For those of you interested in OIL COMPANY MAPS.
Harold Cramer's 'OIL COMPANY ROAD MAPS OF PENNSYLVANIA' features 3 STERLING road maps on his fine site ..link
http://www.mapsofpa.com/roadoil.htm
Robert

Thanks Doc for the history.
Here's my Quaker State stuff.

Hey Doc,
Here's the one and only picture I have of a Quaker State globe. 
Pops (Lastgas15)
-----------------------------------------------------



THIS COULD BE THE ONE AND ONLY GLOBE???? UNLESS SOMEONE HAS OTHERS...????

THANKS EVERYBODY!

Here is a photo of pump plate used by Quaker State.

[This message has been edited by wfort39663 (edited 02-07-2006).]

Here is a pump I photographed at Columbus 2004.


------------------
Scott Shipers
Kansas City, MO

I think that is Ron Bettin's arm in the photo above as well. Here are some quarts from my collection. Picture 2 cans are from Mexico.



------------------
Scott Shipers
Kansas City, MO

O.K. Doc... You gotta' perform some of that "compooter grafic majic" to quartcans pump pic, by putting wforts pump plate on it!!!!! Thats an order!!!! And I'd bet that a talented guy, like you, can even put a globe on that pump.

OKAY MR. WISEGUY...GO TO PAGE 2....

YOU ASKED FOR IT...YOU GOT IT!



HEY, JEFF STOP READING MY MIND AND LEAVE ME ALONE I WANNA GO TO BED! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!

DAT"S WHAT I'M TALKIN" ABOUT DOC!!!!!
YOU DA MAN!!!!

Here are some QUAKER STATE related websites :
QUAKER STATE website http://www.quakerstate.com/pages/home/index.asp
QUAKER STATE MEXICAN website in Spanish http://www.quakerstate.com.mx/
QUAKER STATE SWEDISH website in Swedish http://www.quakerstate.se/
SOPUS PRODUCTS website http://www.pennzoil-quakerstate.com/
Q POWER website
http://www.qpower.com/
Robert


[This message has been edited by GASMAPS (edited 02-08-2006).]

HERE ARE SOME MORE COLLECTIBLE PAPER ITEMS....









(THANKS TO BOB STEPHENS FROM ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA FOR HIS ASSISTANCE).

....AND SOME MISC SMALLS I FOUND ON EBAY AND CONTRIBUTED BY BOB STEPHENS AS WELL....

NOT EXACTLY READY TO DO THE SIGN CATEGORY JUST YET, BUT ROD (Danceswithpumps) HAS THE COOL QUAKER STATE SIGN STORY....
--------------------------------------------------------

Doc,
Here is a tin sign dated 3-49 that I dug out of a ditch along a once paved state highway now a county gravel road a few years back.  I remembered it being in the area but hadn't seen it for probably 20 years. I thought it was long gone but I found it rolled up like a cigar mostly covered by blow dirt and grass.  I flatened it out and put it on a 2X4 frame.  It's just a barn fuel/tank hanger but brings back memories of seeing it as a young boy on our way to town. I know there are lots better ones out there but thought this one should be represented on your thread.
Hope the Nor'easterner doesn't cover you up.
Thanks for posting this for me.
Rod van Pelt
danceswithpumps 

HERE ARE A COUPLE "BOTTLE" EXAMPLES BOTH OLD AND NEW:

1940'S GLASS:



1970'S PLASTIC:



THANKS!

For those who want to read more oil company history , the Digital Bookshelf Of Penn State has scanned the book 'History of Northwestern Pennsylvania' by Joseph Riesenman,Jr. 1943
This book has may items about the oil industry up to the early 1940's.Company histories include:
part 20 PENNZOIL COMPANY
part 21 QUAKER STATE OIL REFINING CORPORATION and
part 49 KENDALL REFINING COMPANY
the link is - http://apps.libraries.psu.edu/digitalbookshelf/bookindex.cfm?oclc=30630209
Robert

MORE QUAKER STATE PAPER:

TWO 1956 MAGAZINE ADS:





AND A GROUP OF EARLY 1970'S ROAD MAPS:



[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 02-16-2006).]

AND A COUPLE MORE EXAMPLES OF STERLING ROAD MAPS. STERLING WAS QUAKER STATES RETAIL GASOLINE BRAND:


1933 DELAWARE FRONT


1933 DELAWARE BACK


1934 OHIO

THANKS BOB STEPHENS FROM ADELAIDE, S. AUSTRALIA!

A Quaker State mini oil can bank.

A version of the tombstone sign in a mounting frame for wall attachment.

A very hard to find Sterling pole style thermometer. This is the only one I know of. Always looking for unusual brands in this style thermometer.

A different Sterling map. This one is circa 1940.

RARE Quaker State anti-freeze qt recenlt sold on ebay.
[img]http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc36b3127cce971f03ed324400000035108CctmTRy2aS[/img]

------------------
Scott Shipers
Kansas City, MO

THANKS, EVERYBODY SO FAR FOR POSTING SOME GREAT QUAKER STATE PRODUCT IMAGES.

SINCE SCOTT POSTED A QUART CAN, I'LL PICK UP HERE AND POST SEVERAL MORE....









THANKS!

THANK YOU!

THANKS!

THANK YOU!!

OKAY, I'VE GOT SOME TIME TO DO SOME QUAKER STATE CLOCKS! I'LL TRY TO POST THEM IN DATE ORDER, OLDEST FIRST....









~DOC

~DOC

A COUPLE OF NICE THERMOMETERS!





~DOC

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF "TOMBSTONE" CURBSIDE SIGNS USED THROUGHOUT THE LAST 70 YEARS:







DOC @ TAG.WEST

LET'S SEE SOME SIGNS!

OKAY!.....

THE BUTTON...



THE HORIZONTAL...



THE VERTICAL....



THANKS!

DOC @ TAG.WEST

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 02-25-2006).]

HOW ABOUT THESE LARGER BILLBOARD STYLE TACKER SIGNS....







THANKS!

~DOC

Great job Doc thanks for the info and look.
..............
REX LIKES DOC

SOME POSTERS, CANVAS, ETC.

MISC SIGNS FOR QUAKER STATE!







THANK YOU!

~DOC

hey doc... are those signs yours ????.... if so, and if for sale... how much for the quaker "life preserver"..

thanks
chuck

THIS IS MY LAST POST FOR FEB 2006 COTM FEATURING QUAKER STATE. IT WAS A QUICK MONTH THAT'S FOR SURE AND CERTAINLY A FUN WELL KNOWN COMPANY TO DO.

HERE IS MY LAST IMAGE TO POST FROM MY OWN COLLECTION SHOWING A DISPLAY PYRAMID OF VARIOUS 1-GALLON CANS.



SORRY, KMANN....NONE OF THE SIGNS FEATURED IN THE COTM WERE MINE!

THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED AND STOPPED BY TO LOOK!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES.
YOUR COTM CO-HOST AND AUTHOR!