Falcon-Knight Radiator Emblem
Falcon-Knight Radiator Emblem
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- This radiator emblem belonged to a Falcon-Knight automobile that was manufactured by the Falcon Motors Corporation of Elyria, Ohio between 1927 and 1929. The Falcon-Knight was organized by John North Willys, and was produced to be priced at around $1000, between the Whippet and the Willys-Knight. Charles Yale Knight invented a new, quieter engine that used sleeve valves instead of the more common poppet valves. Many makers used Knight engines in their vehicles, leading to a preponderance of hyphenate Knight vehicles manufactured in the early 20th century. Falcon was amalgamated into the Willy’s organization after only two years. The emblem is decorated with an image of a falcon over a knight’s helmet, and the rim is inscribed “FALCON/KNIGHT.”
- Radiator emblems are small, colorful metal plates bearing an automobile manufacturer's name or logo that attached to the radiators grilles of early automobiles. Varying in shape and size, the emblems served as a small branding device, sometimes indicating the type of engine, place of manufacturing, or using an iconic image or catchy slogan to advertise their cars make and model. This emblem is part of the collection that was donated by Hubert G. Larson in 1964.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- emblem, radiator
- Other Terms
- emblem, radiator; Road; Automobile
- ID Number
- TR.325528.104
- accession number
- 260303
- catalog number
- 325528.104
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
- Radiator Emblems
- Transportation
- Road Transportation
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.
Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.
