Pump and circumstance

the long version

A lively celebration of that icon of American roadside culture, the gas station. Popular culture commentator John Margolies traces the entertaining and significant tradition of gas station design, history, and lore, from horse-drawn pumps at the turn of the century to the convenience stores and self-serve pumpers of today. Particular attention is given to "the golden age" from 1920 to 1940, when humble curbside stations evolved into palaces of petroleum, and the whole experience became much more than just filling the tank. Those days are gone now, but Margolies brings this era back to life by combining rare archival photographs, postcards, advertisements, and other service station artifacts and collectibles with his own trademark color photographs.--From publisher description.