How many of you have seen the classic PAS memo on self-service gas stations from 1950? There's some choice quotes ..
Also, assertions have been made that the driver, especially if elderly or if a woman (or if the weather is bad) will be unwilling to wipe the windshield and thus will fail to protect his own driving vision.The chief advantage offered by the self-service station is an economic one — gasoline prices have been reduced in some areas from 4 to 5 cents per gallon, or about 20 percent.Self-service stations tend to remain open 24 hours a day, partly because it is not feasible to move all items on display into a locked shelter. They frequently use female personnel — girl cashiers may be hired for less money than men and they attract customers. The American Federation of Labor Teamsters Union has launched a drive to organize self-service employees. According to contracts already signed, male employees will receive $260 per month for a 48 hour work week and female employees $240. Formerly, employees received $225 and $150 respectively.
($260 in 1950 dollars is $2216.91 today, or $26,602.92 a year.)Probably because they are new entrants in a highly competitive field, self-service stations have resorted to lavish advertising feats and campaigns. Huge and fancy signs attract the motorists' attention; costumed attendants and striking architecture displays are employed to clamor for business. If architectural control or sign control is desired in a community, the fact that the newer gasoline stations will probably attempt to be as eye-catching as possible should be anticipated.
(So they can be accommodated?)The entire area of the station should be paved. If there are curb cuts rather than a "smoothed" pavement permitting access at many points, they should be at least 27 feet wide. If pedestrians frequent the general neighborhood, there should be only a few and preferably one clearly marked entrance and exit. The lighting of the station, according to the operator's point of view, should be brilliant, as it is believed that the motorist instinctively slows down when he sees strong lighting. Stations have increased night sales by 25 percent and more when they improved their lighting. Officials, however, will be concerned about the effect of the lighting on the motorist and on surrounding property.
(Access management? Pervious surface? Light pollution control? What's that?)There is no unanimity about the value of landscaping the area between the street and sidewalk or street and station. Some operators believe that this helps present an attractive picture to the motorist, particularly the woman motorist.
(The men's men of the 1940s and 1950s ain't need none of that fancy landscaping! That stuff's for the Communists and girlyboys who don't smoke Lucky Stripes and Chesterfields!)Although Portsmouth, Virginia, has laid down no specific self-serve regulations, the fire marshall requires that automatic nozzles be used and that no female be in charge of stations. The use of roller skates by station attendants is also prohibited.
(Might have well as said no negroes, "those of the Hebrew persuasion", Democrats, immigrants, or non-smokers, too, and it wouldn't have sounded out of place.)
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Originally posted by dvdneal
(Serious question.)
