Hello Everyone,
I'm a new member here and just wanted to quickly introduce myself.
I'm interested in Petroliana as I am currently writing my doctoral dissertation on the history of gas stations. I'm developing a new theory on the history of American capitalism by integrating material culture methods and sensory history. By privileging the transaction over political economy, I hope to develop a new understanding of the ways which American capitalism is experienced and the meaning of that to our understanding of the relationship between commerce and culture.
As the majority of my sources will be objects, there are no limits to my interest in Petroliana - signs, pumps, attendant clothing, point of sale displays, cans/containers, advertisements, promotional items, anything to do with kiosks or architecture, paperwork, keys - absolutely anything!
Equally, while I understand the forum is primarily focused on collecting, if there is any one who owned and/or ran a gas station, or any one who has memories of a particular gas station, and would like to discuss those recollections, I'd be very interested to hear from you. I am supporting my object-focused method with more typical text-based historical sources and old images, and I will shortly be visiting the ExxonMobil archive to pursue that sort of documentation.
I look forward to exploring the history of gas stations and all the fascinating items that entails!
Thanks!