Bell Gasoline Saver

Description:

The Bell Gasoline Saver was manufactured by the Bell Gasoline Saver Company, Inc. of Washington, DC around 1917. The device screwed into the intake manifold and had a ball valve on each end. The upper valve could be adjusted by a set-screw to prevent the ball from being sucked into the engine. Bell claimed that the optimal airflow allowed for carbon elimination, more power, and less gasoline consumption.

As more and more Americans took to the wheel, they often tinkered with their cars so that they more effectively suited their needs, or to overcome early automobiles' very obvious limitations. A users could buy kits that converted Model T's into a stationary engine, lights, turn signals, anti-theft devices, and a host of other products that the makers of auto accessories touted as essential and useful. Although not all of them worked, or were successful, some of these early add-ons, became standard features on later cars.

Date Made: ca 1915-1920

Associated Name: Page, Robert NewtonSaunders, Edward WattsMaker: Bell Gasoline Saver Company, Inc.

Associated Place: United States: District of Columbia

See more items in: Work and Industry: Transportation, Road, America on the Move, Transportation

Exhibition: America On The Move

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Credit Line: Gift of Howard Cayton

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1986.0971.01Accession Number: 1986.0971Catalog Number: 1986.0971.0186.0971.01Accession Number: 1986.0971

Object Name: Gasoline SaverOther Terms: Gasoline Saver; Road

Physical Description: stainless steel (part: material)paper (part: material)Measurements: overall: 4 1/2 in x 2 in x 1/2 in; 11.43 cm x 5.08 cm x 1.27 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-93e5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_844925

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