The first gasoline pump was invented and sold by Sylvanus F. Bowser in Fort Wayne on September 5, 1885.
This pump was used for kerosene lamps and stoves.
The term bowser was used to refer to a vertical gasoline pump.
Although the term is not used anymore in the United States, it still is used sometimes in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

The Bowser Company produced special gas pumps for filling stations along the Lincoln and Dixie Highways.
The company had an agreement with the LHA that Lincoln Highway pumps would be available only to businesses along the official Lincoln Highway route.

This photograph captures the Bowser Company's 1915 Lincoln Highway Day parade entry
featuring the Bowser cut 241 Sentry Pumps for the Lincoln and El Camino Real Highways.
There are two other Bowser cut 241 pumps which appear to have different graphics but are not clearly seen.
Sylvanus F. Bowser is on the left. (Courtesy of the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society.)
Bowser Parade Truck

Lincoln Highway Map


Last edited by tokig; Wed Jan 10 2018 08:02 AM.