Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Old company name database?

What is the most comprehensive database of companies that sold gas throughout US history? I am going to eventually create a fictional name for my backyard biofuel "station" and want to choose something so as not to confuse the hard-core collectors. Instead of remaking or buying reproductions of real signs, globes or other items, I want to create a logo that would have been correct if such a name existed in the mid 20'th century. Just don't want to use a name that existed and confuse some collector 100 years from now who may be deceived into thinking the stuff is valuable.

One way is to create or invent the nameyouwant and go do a Google search for it. Also, the old publications with the gas company info that listed types of signs, etc has lists of the Company names in the back of them.

I really like your idea. I think it is very creative.

The largest list of companies I have seen is a website:
http://www.gassigns.org/index.htm#a

Many of the companies are more modern, but has most of the classics too.

Another good source is the two-volume gas globe reference books (Benjamin and Henderson). This is fairly comprehensive. However, this list is obviously limited only to companies that used globes.

Very good list, but it is missing Highway Oil, Ocopep, Owen, Floval, tropical and probably many others. It is a good start and eventually I will settle on a name to search for. I will try and do all my signs in vitreous enamel

I have two names in mind, tropical oil co or tropicaire oil. I want to call the biodiesel Palm Power and the gasoline Category 5 or something similar. The logo would have a palm tree in it next to a pond full of algae (green). This is not a real company of course, but could a collector in 2100 get confused?

A friend suggested "hurricane oil co". Not a bad idea, if it does not exist already!

"PUT A VORTEX IN YOUR TANK"
Palm Vortex...
A palm tree bent over a green pond?
COOL IDEA

Well Rick, lets hope that in the year 2100, your stuff WILL ring in big bucks!!!

Use a hurricane symbol overlaid by a palm tree silhouette...

I am liking this more and more! The signs and globes will look great, and all my signs will be in vitreous enamel. The goal is to make enough for my home and distribute some to friends for their garages as well. Since I am experimenting with biofuels, I wanted the fictional company to reflect that. It would be funny if it caught on and became an actual business.

Whatever you decide, don't forget to copywrite the picture and the name.

Jack Sim