Parking Meter FAQ
This web site
is dedicated to
the memory of
Ronald B. Luttrell Sr.
1930 - 1992
Ronald B. Luttrell, II
1956 - 2000
Parking Meter
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Although this is sometimes disputed, Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is generally credited with originating the idea. He filed for a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" May 13, 1935. The patent, #2,118,318, was issued May 24, 1938.
Q: Why do we need them?
A: Depends on whom you ask. Aside from generating revenue, many owners (cities, colleges & universities, and private parking facilities) claim that parking meters help "turn over" parking spaces; that is, they help create available spaces that would otherwise be filled with longer-term parkers. But, as Mr. Magee's patent application stated, the original intent was for "measuring the . . . use of parking or other space, for the use of which it is desirous an incidental charge be made upon a time basis." Short answer: money.
Q: Where was the world's first parking meter installation?
A: Oklahoma City, of course. And it created quite a stir. I haven't located a copy yet, but there were articles in OKC's local newspaper, The Daily Oklahoman, on or about July 16, 1935. The citizenry was not happy. And that attitude toward parking meters hasn't changed much in the last sixty-something years.
Q: How many different manufacturers are there?
A: In North America, I know of three major manufacturers of conventional meters: POM, Duncan, and MacKay of Canada. There are also QI Technologies, makers of the C21 multi-stall parking meter, and Parkulator USA Ltd, who manufacture the Parkulator, a personal "in-car" parking meter. I have linked to all of these manufacturers from here. There may be more. If so, I'd like to know about them. In the earlier days there were also Dual and Mark-Time. Magee's patent was assigned to Dual Parking Meter Company, which may be connected with today's POM. I'm looking into it.
Q: How many parking meters are currently in use?
A: Roughly five million in the U.S., according to the February 1997 issue of Inc. Magazine.
Q: How much money can a parking meter hold?
A: I'm going to assume that you only want to know out of an all-consuming thirst for knowledge, and that you'll only use the answer for purposes of good, never evil. According to one of the major manufacturers, their meters have an average capacity of $30 to $60 (US), depending on the coin box and the mix of coins.
Q: Everyone knows that parking meters are installed to generate revenue for the city. So don't they intentionally short you on time, so you'll have to plug the meter more often, or even worse, have to pay a parking ticket you don't deserve?
A: Many jurisdictions try to make sure their meters actually run a little long. Again, according to one manufacturer, with a fresh timer their mechanical meters run from one to nine minutes over in one hour. My old two-hour Park-O-Meter doesn't throw the "expired" flag up until about four minutes overtime.
Q: I plugged a meter with enough money to give me an hour's time. When I got back I had a parking ticket, and I swear I was only gone 55 minutes! Is there anything I can do to get out of the ticket?
A: Maybe. If the meter really short-timed you, talk to the folks that maintain the parking meters in your city. Give them the meter number, its location, and a description of the problem. And do it soon; the same day you got the ticket, if possible. If you're lucky, they'll check the accuracy of the meter, and if it's off they may be able to get the ticket dismissed for you.
