Collections Item Detail
Odometer. Manufactured by Keuffel & Esser Co., N.Y. N.d., ca. 1885-1900.
2014.013.0014
2014.013
Lukacs, Claire
Gift
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
1890 - 1900
Date: 1890-1900
Notes: Description of a similar one found at the Smithsonian Institution: http://collections.si.edu/search/record/npm_0.234863.127?q=set_name:"National+Postal+Museum+Collection" National Postal Museum Collection, object number 0.234863.127 Description: The odometer manufactured by Keuffel and Esser Company measured distance traveled. The metal frame holds two dials. The top dial consists of units marked in single digits from 0 to 100. A window in the top dial reveals a second dial below with similar marks. The unit of measurement is not specified. The device attached to a vehicle by the ring at one end. The Post Office Department equipped route agents with odometers to establish rural free delivery routes at the turn of the twentieth century. Using odometer readings and maps, officials worked to optimize the routes in new areas. They sought to use the minimum number of carriers and to portion the routes into equal distances. Some carriers used odometers to argue for changes to their routes, recording their miles covered and hoping to prove that an alternate road could save time. ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2014-07-02