Buzz
Initially, gasoline pumps weren't designed for cars, as automobiles hadn't been invented when the first pump was introduced in 1885. While Karl Benz was experimenting with the concept of cars, these pumps were primarily used to provide fuel for kerosene lamps and stoves. However, they became incredibly useful once cars became mainstream.
The automatic shutoff mechanism wasn't developed until over five decades later. In 1939, Richard Corson from Olean, New York, observed a man filling a barrel with gasoline and realized how inefficient the process was. He believed there had to be a better solution. Inspiration struck him in an unexpected place—the bathroom. While flushing the toilet, he conceptualized the idea of a butterfly float. This innovation allowed multiple barrels to be filled simultaneously, and Corson quickly drafted a design and built a prototype.
Corson's groundbreaking invention laid the foundation for the modern automatic shut-off mechanism found in gas pumps today. Next time you're at the pump, take a closer look at the nozzle (but avoid doing so while actively fueling). You'll likely spot two key features: a small hole at the tip of the spout and a tube running along its interior.
The small hole is known as a sensing hole, and it's linked to a diaphragm near the shut-off valve inside the nozzle via the tube.
As you press the handle and gasoline begins to flow through the spout, a vacuum forms in the tube, maintaining the diaphragm in a neutral position. When your tank nears full capacity, the fuel level rises enough to block the sensing hole. This prevents air from passing through the hole to the vacuum, causing atmospheric pressure to shift the diaphragm. This action triggers a switch in the automatic shut-off mechanism, a design Richard Corson contributed to. Once the switch activates, your tank is filled to the brim.
Who would have thought preventing gas spills could be so intricate? For further clarification or additional insights, consult these expert sources:The Straight Dope How Stuff Works
