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LP Gas timeline (1941-49): The war years

March 16, 2021 By    
Cover illustration: Robertshaw Thermostat Co.

The very first issue. (Illustration: Robertshaw Thermostat Co.)

LP Gas is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. To commemorate the milestone, LP Gas editors have combed through magazine archives from the past eight decades to create a timeline marking the industry’s history through our own pages. Here we present the 1940s. You can also access these decades: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-09 and 2010-present.

Off and running (1941)

February 1941 marks the very first issue of LP Gas, known then as LP-Gas Merchandising. It is described as a monthly magazine for all liquefied petroleum gas dealers and distributors, published by Robbins Publishing Co. in combination with Gas Appliance Merchandising. The name changes to LP-Gas in 1942.

War stories (1940s)

Many stories in the early-to-mid 1940s focus on the LP gas industry as it relates to World War II. In the March 1942 issue, LP-Gas launches a new “war news” department to report developments that affect LP gas businesses. The impact of governmental orders and restrictions on the industry – as the demands of war take precedence – is covered in the magazine.

Archived LP Gas page

Many stories in the early-to-mid 1940s focus on the LP gas industry as it relates to World War II.

Educating the public (1941/1943)

A national advertising campaign is close to fruition in late 1941 before the attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything. Talks among members of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (LPGA) pick back up in 1943, and a plan is approved in December of that year.

Publisher passes (1944)

Albert E. Lindquist, the publisher of LP-Gas and secretary of Robbins Publishing Co., suffers a heart attack and dies at his home in Chappaqua, New York. He is 50.

Buyers Guide (1944)

LP-Gas launches its Buyers Guide in the February 1944 issue. It was officially called the “Buying Guide & Directory Section of LP-Gas.” The guide is described as “a handy, convenient, time-saving list of manufacturers of appliances, equipment and supplies for LP gas producers, distributors and dealers.”

New association (1945)

The American Butane-Propane Distributors Association is incorporated. The purpose of the association, which is renamed the National Butane-Propane Association, is to promote the social, educational and scientific welfare of the distributors of butane and propane. LP-Gas questions why the industry, already having the LPGA, needs two associations.

Pre-war position (1945)

Japan’s surrender in World War II brings a quick end to almost all restrictions under which the LP gas industry had operated during the war years. This includes production, distribution and the use of LP gas, and on the installation of LP gas equipment. The LPGA executes a well-timed publicity program that coincides with the end to war.

Francis Holliday photo

Holliday

Making history (1948)

The Kentucky Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association elects Francis L. Holliday of Cumberland Natural Gas Service as its president during a convention and exhibit in Louisville. Holliday, the founder of the year-old group, becomes the first woman to head an LP gas association.

Hall of Fame career beginnings (1949)

Sam McTier, who would become an LP Gas Hall of Famer, joins Bastian-Blessing Co. of Chicago as a sales engineer. Previously, he serves for two years as a sales engineer for the United Petroleum Gas Co. Bastian-Blessing promotes itself as a manufacturer of equipment for using and controlling high-pressure gases.

Featured image credits: Cover 1: Robertshaw Thermostat Co.; Cover 2: Impco Carburetion; Cover 4: Photos courtesy of LP Gas Hall of Fame inductees and their families, and background photo by Istockphoto.com/Herbert Bias; Cover 5: LP Gas staff; USGirl/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; balipadma/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; spawns/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; Logo/background: Olha Huro/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Social media image credits: Cover 1: Robertshaw Thermostat Co.; Cover 3: Impco Carburetion; Cover 5: Photos courtesy of LP Gas Hall of Fame inductees and their families, and background photo by Istockphoto.com/Herbert Bias; Cover 6: LP Gas staff; USGirl/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; balipadma/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; spawns/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; Logo/background: Olha Huro/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

About the Author:

Brian Richesson is the editor in chief of LP Gas Magazine. Contact him at brichesson@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3748.

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