AAA Lakeside Storage has a handful of Sincalir dinosaurs in our museum! The Sinclair dinosaur—commonly associated with the green brontosaurus mascot named Dino (pronounced DYE-no)—has a rich and unique history tied to American petroleum culture and advertising. Here’s a breakdown of its origins and development:
🦕 Origins of Sinclair Oil
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Founded: Sinclair Oil Corporation was founded by Harry F. Sinclair in 1916.
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Name Origin: The company was a merger of 11 smaller petroleum companies.
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Headquarters: Initially in New York, later moved to Wyoming.
🦖 The Dinosaur Connection
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Why a dinosaur? In the 1930s, Sinclair began using the image of dinosaurs to promote its petroleum products. The idea was based on the (now outdated) belief that crude oil came from decomposed dinosaurs.
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1930s Advertising Campaign: Sinclair used a variety of dinosaur species in ads to highlight the “age” and “natural origins” of its products.
🦕 Creation of Dino the Brontosaurus
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Debut: Dino was introduced around 1930, but became the official mascot in 1932.
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Design: Initially modeled after the brontosaurus (now considered part of the apatosaurus genus), which symbolized strength, reliability, and longevity—qualities Sinclair wanted consumers to associate with its gasoline.
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Trademark: Dino was officially trademarked in 1932.
🦕 Popularity and Cultural Impact
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1933–34 World’s Fair: Sinclair had a major exhibit featuring life-size dinosaur models.
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1964–65 New York World’s Fair: Sinclair created an even more famous “Dinoland” exhibit, which included large fiberglass dinosaur sculptures that became iconic.
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Toys and Promotions: Dino was featured in toys, road maps, and promotional materials for decades.
🦕 Modern Usage
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Continued Branding: Dino still appears on Sinclair gas stations, signage, and merchandise.
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Inflatable Mascot: The giant inflatable Dino balloon has become a crowd favorite in events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Merchandising: Sinclair has released a variety of Dino-themed items, from plush toys to retro signage.
🦕 Fun Fact
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The belief that oil came from dinosaurs is mostly myth—most petroleum comes from ancient plankton and marine microorganisms. But the dinosaur theme stuck because it was memorable and appealing.
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