Oilzum, one of the first brand names in motor oil, has a rich history dating back to 1888 when F.W. White and H.P. Bagley established the White & Bagley Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. The goal of the company was to develop a practical and uniform quality motor oil with a long service life and good protective properties.
Fast forward to 1905, and Oilzum Motor Oil was born. White and Bagley wanted to take the risk and guesswork out of lubrication, and their hard work paid off as Oilzum became a trusted name among early motorists. The familiar Oilzum kid trademark became a fast friend, and the brand took the motor oil industry by storm.
Herbert P. Bagley was especially interested in the rise of the automobile and racing. In 1906, Oilzum lubricated Stanley Steamer set a world speed record of 127 miles an hour, and in 1912, the company introduced Crystal Oilzum, a special racing blend that was used in more winning cars at the Indianapolis 500 than any other oil.
Over the years, Oilzum became synonymous with quality, and the company devoted all its time and resources to producing better lubricants. With an experienced staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and a focus solely on lubricants, White & Bagley was well equipped to produce the best products.
Oilzum Lubricants were distributed through exclusive dealerships, which allowed for a greater return on promotional advertising for each individual dealer. This exclusivity is why many of the Oilzum advertising pieces are of exceptional quality and highly sought after by collectors today.
The Oilzum logo has also gone through some changes over the years. The bucktooth boy logo was adopted in 1905 and was only used for a few years before maturing into "Oswald" the chauffeur. The iconic Oswald the chauffeur logo remains a favorite among collectors to this day.
