What does "arco" mean?

[fountainpenkid]

As a violinist, I always think of those frantic moments getting the bow back in my hand after a long "pizz." section, but what does OMAS mean when they use the term? When was it first used to describe that sort of celluloid?

Looking at translations, it makes some sense that, given that the word means "arch" or "arc" in Italian, it is likely describing the arch-like forms made on length-wise curved bits by the darker layers of the material. But the degree of this arc-like pattern really seems to depend on the pen's shape--it is much more visible on rounder pens etc.

[jar]

Most likely it refers to the celluloid blank, the rod itself and not the the model of the pen.

[FredRydr]

Atlantic Richfield Corporation



Just remember that celluloid and gasoline don't mix.

Fred

[jar]

Atlantic Richfield Corporation



Just remember that celluloid and gasoline don't mix.

Fred

Full service? Even in the 80s?

[Wile E Coyote]

Full service? Even in the 80s?

Go to NJ, you can still get it. You aren't allowed to pump your own gas there.

[FredRydr]

As a violinist, I always think of those frantic moments getting the bow back in my hand after a long "pizz." section, but what does OMAS mean when they use the term? When was it first used to describe that sort of celluloid?

Screen Shot 2016-12-16 at 55925PM.jpg

I played violin decades ago, too, but when I saw "bow" I thought of the act of taking a "bow."

I wonder how old that pile of gorgeous Omas Arco celluloid is/was? And who has is it now? Five years ago during the independent effort to interest Montblanc in a 60th anniversary re-release of the striated 146, Montblanc execs told me that, by law, they weren't permitted to fabricate with celluloid anymore (workplace safety). Italy must have been a different story.

Fred

[mrcharlie]

Full service? Even in the 80s?

I know the photo claims to be from "around 1980", but it looks more mid-1970s to me, going by the cars. The newest looking car is the "sports car" that is probably a trans am; it was available looking something like that (reverse hood scoop and t-top) no later than 1977 (year Smokey and the Bandit was released). All the other cars look early 1970s or older. The messed up price sign looks like it trying to advertise a price per gallon of the form X9.9 per, ie less than a dollar per gallon. I started driving in '81 and have never paid less than a dollar.

I'd bet this is from '75-'78 at the latest.

"Full Service" became optional (a station might have one island full and one self) or went away entirely in most US states between the mid-1970s and very early 1980s.

[Quantum Sailor]

Full service? Even in the 80s?

Go to NJ, you can still get it. You aren't allowed to pump your own gas there.

Last time I was in Oregon it was the same there.

[mtnbiker62]

I always thought it was Italian for "you can't afford this"!

[jar]

I always thought it was Italian for "you can't afford this"!

No, that is Melina Mercouri as Ilya. So who gets that reference?

[earthdawn]

Full service? Even in the 80s?

I know the photo claims to be from "around 1980", but it looks more mid-1970s to me, going by the cars. The newest looking car is the "sports car" that is probably a trans am; it was available looking something like that (reverse hood scoop and t-top) no later than 1977 (year Smokey and the Bandit was released). All the other cars look early 1970s or older. The messed up price sign looks like it trying to advertise a price per gallon of the form X9.9 per, ie less than a dollar per gallon. I started driving in '81 and have never paid less than a dollar.

I'd bet this is from '75-'78 at the latest.

"Full Service" became optional (a station might have one island full and one self) or went away entirely in most US states between the mid-1970s and very early 1980s.

AND a Trans-am with Side Pipes no less.... maybe even a set of Cragar rims!

[kaisnowbird]

And I thought Arco is just short for Art Deco.

[fountainpenkid]

Y'all have at least made me feel much better about myself...after realizing the Italian, I nearly deleted the topic out of embarassment of what I thought was its obviousness!

Regarding the provenance of the celluloid: in conversations with Brad Torelli, I have learned the Italian manufacturer that made the celluloid for OMAS moved their facilities to China around the beginning of this millennium...he said this was for reasons of cost, but perhaps it was regulatory as well... (can't remember their name right now, but I think it started with an "m.")

[Bisquitlips]

I always thought it was Italian for "you can't afford this"!

Only if the word "brown" or "green" comes just after Arco!

[notsim]

might as well add some eye candy to the thread

[fountainpenkid]

might as well add some eye candy to the thread

That 360 captures the arch-like quality of the banding wonderfully!