Stopping at a gas station is an inevitable part of life in our community. Did you know that when you pull up to a pump at a station, you are using technology built upon pump innovations that materialized right here in Fort Wayne. Sylvanus Freelove Bowser invented the first self-measuring oil pump in 1885 which was adapted for dispensing gasoline in 1905. S.F. Bowser & Company began operations on Creighton Avenue in 1887–1888. By the 1920s, the company was making $13 million selling oil and gas pumps worldwide, and despite the company’s international growth, the headquarters remained in Fort Wayne. In the mid-1950s the headquarters was moved to Chicago. The Fort Wayne plant closed in 1962 and was moved to Greenville, Tennessee. The company was acquired by the Keene Corporation in 1969.#sociallyhistory
1302 East Creighton Avenue, last used as headquarters for the Fort Wayne Police Department was orginally the headquarters of the S. F. Bowser & Company, founded in 1885 by the man who invented the world's first self-measuring pump. Sylvanus Freelove Bowser was one of the city's top three or four industrialists in the early 20th century.
We now have monthly employee publications of Bowser Inc. (Fort Wayne) available within our Community Album. Check back as new materials are being added regularly.
It's Flag Day! Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
This image shows S.F. Bowser & Company employees of Fort Wayne at a flag raising.
Fill 'er up-Here's one to job Bowser memories. Old reliable, the Bowser Chief Century, is shown in pre-World War I days pumping gas into a 1914 Michgan. The most popular pump on the market, the Chief Century was first built in 1913. Like all Bowser pumps of this period, the Chief Century, of Fig. 102, had the cut-steel cog-rack, centrifugal separator, accurate register, precision meter and bright paint. Notice that the Michigan's gas tank was located beneath the seat. Not only has the automobile changed vastly, but likewise the spelling of gasoline.
Bowser, Man and BuildingS. F. Bowser, inventor of the automobile gas pump, built his 1917 company headquarters in Fort Wayne with an eye for quality and workmanship. His legacy there, however, is a fading one. with photos on Indiana Landmarks .
Happy #WaybackWednesday! Check out these then-and-now images from the Daniel A. Baker Collection featured in our Community Album
Circa 1917, Sylvanus Freelove Bowser posed in front of his SF Bowser company headquarters, where he pioneered the invention of the automobile gas pump.
Fast forward to early 2017, and the last remnants of SF Bowser & Co. were demolished. Dale McMillen, Sr. acquired the headquarters, later leasing it to Phelps Dodge Company and the Fort Wayne Police Department for several years.
PUMP WILL NOT BE SOLD. The millionth self - measuring pump recently manufactured by the S. Bowser company has been placed on a permanent concrete foundation on the lawn adjoining the Bowser office building, corner of Bowser and E. Creighton avenues, where it will be kept in memorial of the celebration held in the honor of S. F. Bowser, at Weisser park, on June 22.
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