• 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

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • Albright's Supply
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Hyde Leather
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • MasterTech Expo 2026

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Bentley Motors Leather Shop

A Visit to Bentley Motors’ Leather Workshop

We know that Bentley Motors creates some of … [more] about A Visit to Bentley Motors’ Leather Workshop

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Volkswagen Beetle - Design Studio

Design Studio: Classic VW Beetle Seats

Big news for Volkswagen fans! As per your … [more] about Design Studio: Classic VW Beetle Seats

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Dodge Challenger Vinyl Top

Hot or Not? Dodge Challenger Vinyl Tops

To honor the first-generation Dodge … [more] about Hot or Not? Dodge Challenger Vinyl Tops

Auto Upholstery in the Early 1900s

Trimmers have a long and storied past – one … [more] about Auto Upholstery in the Early 1900s

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ringbrothers

10 Questions for Ringbrothers’ Mike and Jim

Mike and Jim Ring of Ringbrothers are skilled … [more] about 10 Questions for Ringbrothers’ Mike and Jim

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Door Panel Vinyl

Where to Find Mustang Door Panel Vinyl

Since its debut in 2005, the fifth-generation … [more] about Where to Find Mustang Door Panel Vinyl

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026
  • 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

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