• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Flashback: First Modern Glove Box

May 22, 2013 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery Community - Popular Science Glove Box Header

We take it for granted that vehicle cabins come equipped with large, lockable glove boxes. But, believe it or not, that wasn’t always the case. In February of 1932, an article appeared in Popular Science magazine introducing the feature as if it was a big deal – which, to car buyers back then, it was.

Today, some glove boxes double as fold-down trays and refrigerators; contain small shelves and coin organizers; feature charging ports for electronics; and – as is the case for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class – come equipped with an active perfuming system.

We’ve sure come a long way since this…

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery Community - Popular Science Glove Box

[via Modern Mechanix]

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Glove Box, Popular Science

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rich santana says

    May 22, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Around ’32 is when they went from cowl mounted gas tanks to back in the rear. Freeing up the cowl area. Before ’32, they really didn’t have the room for a glove box. Interesting they said ‘entirely out of metal’…the box itstelf is cardboard…Have a great day today!!

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

[the_ad id="15589"]
[the_ad id="27915"]
[the_ad_group id="1581"]

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Cutters Custom Stitchin Inc

Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

There’s a three-man auto upholstery shop in … [more] about Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Motorcycle Seat - Design Studio

Design Studio: Two-Up Motorcycle Seat

Designing and upholstering custom motorcycle … [more] about Design Studio: Two-Up Motorcycle Seat

Start Charging What You’re Worth

It’s time to stop preparing estimates with … [more] about Start Charging What You’re Worth

Shop Profile: Edge Automotive Interiors

Anyone who thinks that auto upholstery is a … [more] about Shop Profile: Edge Automotive Interiors

The Hog Ring - What Trim Shops Looked Like in the 1800s

What Trim Shops Looked Like in the 1800s

What did auto trim shops look like 150 years … [more] about What Trim Shops Looked Like in the 1800s

Why I Build Miniature Car Seats

For the past few years, I’ve been … [more] about Why I Build Miniature Car Seats

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • WyoTech Taps Dominic Olson for Upholstery Program, Installs New NC Machines
  • MasterTech Expo 2026 Draws Global Crowd and Raises the Bar Again
  • Free SEMA Webinar: How to Start Your Own Auto Shop
  • NC Carpet Binding Teases New Bespoke Carpet Edgings Line
  • Register for SEMA’s 2026 Professional Development Program

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in