It was illegal in most states to pump your own gas
The first remote-controlled, self-service gas pump was rolled out in 1964 in Westminster, Colo. At that time, the practice was entirely revolutionary—and wildly unpopular. By 1968, 23 states still had a law in place banning people from pumping their own gas. Today, the scales have flipped; and all states except New Jersey and Oregon have made it legal to pump your own gas.
