By Michael Karl Witzel ©2007-2008
Americans drive more than 2.5 trillion miles per year in cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles—a distance equal to 14,000 round trips to the sun! To rack up this amazing mileage, the U.S. motoring market consumes 146 billion gallons of gasoline every year.
With so much refined petroleum being bought and [...]
Posted in American Icons, Car Culture, Gasoline, Gasoline Stations | 
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By Michael Karl Witzel ©2007-2008
In 1947, Art Lacey opened a small, five pump filling station along Highway 99E in Milwaukie, Oregon. It was the same year he had his biggest—and his best—idea: Why not mount a full-sized, four-engined airplane on top of a roadside gas station business?
When he heard that the military was scrapping [...]
Posted in American Icons, American Rewind, Food and Drink, Gasoline Stations, Historic Highways, Roadside America | No Comments »
By Michael Karl Witzel ©2007-2008
Richard and Maurice McDonald were planning to franchise their successful burger system in 1952. To stand above the visual noise created by miles of drive-ins, motels, car washes, bowling alleys, service stations, and coffee-shops—they decided a new structural style was needed. Without a unique design, nationwide recognition for their walk-up stand [...]
Posted in American Icons, Car Culture, Drive-in Food, Food and Drink | 1 Comment »