JET PETROLEUM LTD was formed in 1954 by John Roberts - known as Bill. During the war years petrol had been regulated and in 1953 this came to an end so Bill took the opportunity of applying his skills and experiences to the formation of a new company to be called "Jet". This was the jet age and the company logo became a jet airplane in a vertical pose but this was not the sole reason for the name. Bill had grown up in Yorkshire and vehicle registration numbers for his area were preceded with the letters 'JET' so it was a fair bet that his company vehicles would have personalised number plates - his first tanker had the registration number JET 855 and is pictured below. But even better - every other vehicle in the district would also be advertising his brand.
Bill's first tanker, an AEC Mammoth Major MKlll Tanker, registration number 'JET 855' is looking resplendent in her restored livery. Photograph © courtesy of Peter Quinn Bills first tanker 
Bill's first tanker, an AEC Mammoth Major MKlll Tanker, registration number 'JET 855' is looking resplendent in her restored livery. Photograph © courtesy of Peter Quinn
Jet was taken over in 1961 by Conoco Inc and is still going strong with over 400 independent garages.
Early Jet petrol pump globes were made by Hailwood in glass and each had the company logo of a Jet on the faces together with the octane rating of petrol or marked diesel. Each grade of petrol had a set colour scheme with some logos being red whilst others were in green. With the development and evolution of the "jet aircraft" the companies logo would have looked dated fairly quickly. By the end of the 1950's modernisation was taking place and Jet globes were re styled and finished in yellow with black lettering - JET. Some of the styles of the company are shown below and include the latest logo design circa 2000.
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