UnsplashBefore we could drive to a gas station down the road, hop out, and fill up ourselves, gas stations usually required workers to fill up the car for customers. They also doubled as a place to get directions, check on your car, and a few other services. Want to learn some of the most surprising facts about gas stations before self-service? Then keep reading. 5. Gas Station Attendants Did More Than Pump GasUnsplashAttendants didn't simply stand around waiting for someone to show up and fill up on gas. They also were expected to help keep cars running. That means something as simple as cleaning the windshield and performing oil checks to making sure the tire pressure was good and topping off fluid levels. According to a Los Angeles Times report, traditional service-station attendants performed several small maintenance tasks while filling a customer's tank.4. Gas Stations Used to Give Away Free Road MapsUnsplashWhile someone pumps your gas, you could always hop inside and get a free road map. And back then, they were free. Long before smartphones and helpful GPS, gas stations were the main source of finding directions. According to Mental Floss, attendants would even mark on the road maps to make sure you were going the right and most efficient route depending on your preferences. 3. The First Serious Attempt at Self-Service Stopped Because of Fire-Safety ConcernsUnsplashFire-safety is a big concern when going to the gas station. And interestingly enough, that was the main reason that self-service didn't catch on very well. Self-service didn't just immediately sweep through America. One of the most surprising facts about gas stations before self-service was the first real attempt at it, according to the National Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing. AdvertisementAdvertisementHoosier Petroleum Co. experimented with self-service in 1930, but the concept was stopped because officials viewed customers pumping gasoline themselves as a fire hazard. Interestingly enough, Frank Urich later opened what became the first successful self-service station in Los Angeles in 1947.2. Some Early "Self-Service" Stations Still Needed an AttendantUnsplashAs mentioned, Frank Urich opened the first successful self-service station; however, it still wasn't fully self-service. According to the same outlet mentioned above, the attendants still had to reset the mechanical pump counters, handle payments, and make change. So while this was becoming more efficient and heading in the right direction of self-service, it was still a far cry from what it looks like today. 1. Pumping Your Gas Was ControversialUnsplashWhat's normal for us today was quite controversial back then. One of the most surprising facts about gas stations before self-service is that there was a lot of controversy surrounding it. In fact, self-service became a political and legal fight in parts of the country. It wasn't a new convenience that everyone wanted. According to Master Resource, self-service was actually illegal in nine states during the late 1940s, while other communities had their own restrictions.