Apparently, we owe thanks to the Sinclair Oil Company for the proliferation of roadside dinosaurs in this country. In 1932, capitalizing on our fascination with the extinct beasts, they adopted a green brontosaurus, named Dino, as their logo in homage to the age of their petroleum.

The symbol proved incredibly popular and made finding a gas station easy, passing motorists knew to look for the green dinosaur. The rise of the personal automobile and cross-country road trips meant businesses had to find a way to attract customers. Taking a clue from Sinclair, colorful images and signs sprung up along the nation’s highways.

In the next few decades these signs evolved into life-size caricatures, thanks in part to Sinclair Oil’s Dinoland at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. The exhibit wowed crowds with its large dinosaur models (two of which eventually found a home at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas).

Closer to me, I’m lucky to have an original Sinclair gas station dinosaur. Built in 1964, it is still in use as an automobile service center. Just a few miles further south on Highway 19, is the bright pink Foxbower dinosaur. It was constructed in 1959 to draw tourists into the family’s wildlife museum.

I hadn’t set out in search of them but they certainly caught my eye. So yes, the gimmick still works, even after all these years!