Artifact of the Month - Milestone California License Plates

1974.7.3, 1974.7.7 - Gifts of Agnes Kincaid; 1980.31.10 - Gift of Norman Braithwaite; 1985.63.5, 1985.63.2 – Gifts of Chuck Hornbeck; 1992.22.3 - Gift of Betty McKean

Guest Curated by Collections Volunteer, Bob Harris

Did you know that California used to require individuals make their own license plates?  In 1900, there were only 4,192 motor vehicles in the United States. By 1905, California recognized the need to keep track of vehicles and instituted the registration process. Vehicle owners made their own plates using a state provided registration from 1905 to 1913. One hundred and twenty years later, there are a lot of old plates out there. You see license plate collections everywhere. Some are tacked to the sides of barns, others are hanging up in antique shops, and many are collected by museums. These plates are a slice of California history, and each tells a story of its time. Turtle Bay Exploration Park has a collection of more than 30 California plates starting with the first state-produced plate.

In 1914, California rolled out the first state-issued vehicle identification, a durable red and white porcelain covered steel plate that replaced all previous owner-made plates. The year of issue was on the right side and a new license plate was issued annually. Eight holes were provided as there were no license plate mounting standards for vehicles. The state quickly realized that issuing a new, expensive plate annually was cost prohibitive and switched to cheaper painted steel plates. Today, we just get a new sticker!

This month’s Artifact of the Month explores the history of California plates and how they reflect their times by examining six iconic plates. For example, in 1942 “BE PC” denoted a pneumatic tired commercial vehicle operating on a board of equalization permit determined by the individual’s job importance to the war effort. Trucks were not subject to fuel rationing. In 1942, only new vehicles, which were very limited in number, received a new license plate. Due to metal shortages, renewals received a long tab with 19 CALIFORNIA 42 covering the top of the license. The smaller validation tag for 1943 was a V, for victory. In 1944, a sticker was used to save metal. Our 1942 plate is steel, but aluminum was also used as steel was in short supply. Among license plate collectors, this plate is very desirable.

We might think that affinity plates, such as the Museums Are for Everyone fundraising plate – which can be found in the Turtle Bay parking lot, are a modern invention, but in 1939 a black and yellow plate advertised the California World's Fair. The Golden Gate International Exposition was held to commemorate the completion of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge.

License plate history is fascinating and you can learn much more when you drop into the Museum to see this Artifact of the Month.

Bob Harris, Collections Volunteer