POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

An oil can for 'Neptune Windmill Lubricating Oil'

An oil can for 'Neptune Windmill Lubricating Oil'

Object No. B2606-23

Early cars used the slippery by-products of crude oil to stop the moving metal parts inside the engine from seizing up and to also carry away heat. As the numbers of cars increased companies were formed to supply them oil and petrol and in the 1930s attempts were made to standardise the performance of oil and petrol world-wide. The Society of Automobile Engineers in the United States of America set these standards by defining engine oil viscosity at 100 degrees centigrade. Some like this multi-compound oil by 'Golden Fleece' were for made for a wide range of cars; other oils were developed for use in a limited range of vehicles. The Neptune Oil Co. of Melbourne was a private Australian firm which was established in 1909 by the Kitchen family and imported Pennsylvania crude oil by ship and refined it in Australia. References Petrol/Oil history in Australia, http://home.austarnet.com.au/jamieson/petrol.html Caltex Oil Company Web site, http://www.caltex.com.au/about_his.asp http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/engine_oil_history.shtml Geoff Barker, March, 2007

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Summary

Object Statement

Can (1 of 31), 'Neptune Windmill Lubricating Oil', metal, Neptune Oil Company, Australia, 1910-1950

Physical Description

Oil can, 'Neptune Windmill Lubricating Oil', metal, made by the Neptune Oil Company, Australia, 1910-1950 Rectangular oil can made of metal. Painted on four sides of the can is 'Neptune Windmill Lubricating Oil' advertising and instructions in blue, green, cream and red. The can is rusted and on the upper surface is a carrying handle and a small, circular screw lid. On the centre of the base is a large patch of green paint. The can is one imperial gallon.

DIMENSIONS

Height

245 mm

Width

172 mm

Depth

120 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

This oil can was made by the Neptune Oil Company in Australia around 1910-1950.

SOURCE

Acquisition Date

20 December 1984

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