Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Tokheim Pump Quiz

Wayne first produced computer pumps in 1932.
Tokheim began using them in 1934.

What are 3 other innovations produced in Tokheims pumps from 34-36 that were used for years after?
And what was the motivation/reason behind making these changes to their gas pumps ?

[This message has been edited by PremoPetrol (edited 08-06-2003).]

Just a guess............Was one of them the sight glass, so the customer could still see the product he was buying.
Craig

Exactly right. They abandoned the external sight glass so they could illuminate the glass in the face of the pump. According to my Tokheim book, they also innovated the display glass or ad glass. They made a 34 with large glass inserts in the door that were lighted and flashed at night. Then they modified that version into the display box fitted into the door for selling small items on the same cut 34 pump. Wayne took it a step further and developed a large showcase pump base on the wayne 40 which could house large items. Tokheim also appears to have innovated the use of baked enamel on all their pumps with the intro of the 34. I dont know if Wayne beat Tokheim to the punch on using the computer but it appears they did by the introduction dates of the Tok 34 vs. the Wayne 40 ?

I found it interesting they saw night sales at stations their priority for increasing sales. Im always amazed at the quality they were able to build with the technology they had then. Being leaders in innovation is probably why they're still in business today.
Larry


[This message has been edited by PremoPetrol (edited 08-07-2003).]

[This message has been edited by PremoPetrol (edited 08-07-2003).]

Premo, I don't think Tokheim is in business anymore. David Higdon... help me here on this. I think they just went under.

Actually they went bankrupt last year. No one made an acceptable bid to buy Tokheim North America so, they are disposing of assets, by court order, to another investment group. Stockholders in Tokheim get - nada!

Tokheim ASA out of France is still kickin'

Interesting info Larry. I thought Wayne bought Tokheim out.

DRESSER WAYNE BOUGHT OUT TOKHEIM, GILBARCO (MARCONI) GOT GASBOY (GASBOY WAS A TOKHEIM SUBSIDIARY). WAYNE IS DUMPING THE TOKHEIM PUMP AND DISPENSER LINE BUT KEEPING THEIR FREMONT, INDIANA PARTS FACTORY IN OPERATION FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. ITS A SHAME THAT A 100 YEAR OLD COMPANY BITES THE DUST BECAUSE OF POOR MANAGEMENT AND VISION.

BY THE WAY, THE TOKHEIM COMPANY OF IOWA IS STILL IN OPERATION TODAY, MAKING AND SELLING TANK EQUIPMENT.

Thanks for the info Guys
I love the history of the old pump companies and how they evolved along with the car industry. I guess I have a soft spot for things built to look deco for the sake of artistic appeal to the customer.
Now square and ugly is okay as long as it pumps a high volume of gas using a debit card. Are there any good books out there on Wayne Pump Company similar to the Tokheim Book ?
thanks
Larry

http://www.tokheim.com/pdf2/030803NewsRelease.pdf Info on the restructuring of Tokheim

Heres another Tokheim quiz:

Which Tokheim Computer Pump was offered in baked red enamel, porcelain, or CHROME finish panels ?

Would that be the 34?

Morgs right, has anyone ever had a chrome or a porceleeene Tokheim 34, whoo babee that would be one neat pump. Hey morg, I will buy you dinner if you will come to Freds too.
Larry