Sinclair Dino Lives in Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The iconic dinosaur sculpture named Dino that marks Sinclair Oil-branded gas stations is popping up here, as Hawkeye Oil Co. is installing the trademark at five of its convenience stores after rebranding to the Sinclair banner from CITGO earlier this year, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.
Hawkeye's other five convenience store locations will not see the apatosaurus sculpture, due to local ordinances that concern placement, according to the report.
Sinclair Oil claimed the apatosaurus as a registered trademark in 1930, and later expanded it to include sculptures at some of its retail locations, the report stated. The dinosaur's association with the company was secured when the company's sponsored exhibits featured the figure at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and the 1964 New York City World's Fair, according to the Gazette.
Hawkeye Oil vice president, Marshall Petersen, told the paper the company's decision to install the sculptures was entirely voluntary.
"They're just fun to have. They certainly are an eye-catcher," Petersen told the Gazette. "Children, especially, love them."
Hawkeye Oil installed the first dinosaurs in Marion, Iowa, and store employees dressed the creatures in Halloween costumes, the report stated.
The company will also keep a backup dinosaur in its warehouse for future use, Petersen said, adding he has borrowed it for children's birthday parties.
"It's always a big hit," he told the paper.
Hawkeye's other five convenience store locations will not see the apatosaurus sculpture, due to local ordinances that concern placement, according to the report.
Sinclair Oil claimed the apatosaurus as a registered trademark in 1930, and later expanded it to include sculptures at some of its retail locations, the report stated. The dinosaur's association with the company was secured when the company's sponsored exhibits featured the figure at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and the 1964 New York City World's Fair, according to the Gazette.
Hawkeye Oil vice president, Marshall Petersen, told the paper the company's decision to install the sculptures was entirely voluntary.
"They're just fun to have. They certainly are an eye-catcher," Petersen told the Gazette. "Children, especially, love them."
Hawkeye Oil installed the first dinosaurs in Marion, Iowa, and store employees dressed the creatures in Halloween costumes, the report stated.
The company will also keep a backup dinosaur in its warehouse for future use, Petersen said, adding he has borrowed it for children's birthday parties.
"It's always a big hit," he told the paper.