<P> Early filling stations were usually located at general stores, where gasoline would be put in buckets and funneled into vehicles . Most early stations were little more than a manually powered roadside pump operated by an attendant . </P> <P> In the 1970s, two periods of gasoline shortages (1973 and 1979) caused higher fuel prices which in turn resulted in permanent closure of many full - service gas stations as consumers looked for pricing relief . </P> <P> In most western countries today, full - service stations and their attendants are not common and are usually considered somewhat nostalgic . However, all stations in New Jersey offer only full service and "mini service". In these states, attendants are required to pump gasoline because customers are barred by statutes from doing it themselves . New Jersey banned self - service gasoline in 1949 after lobbying by service station owners and Oregon did the same in 1951 . Proponents of the ban cite safety and jobs as reasons to keep the ban . </P> <P> However, In Oregon a law passed by the Legislature in May 2017 and signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown in June will allow Oregon counties with 40,000 residents or less to deviate and allow for customers to pump their own fuel between the hours of 6pm to 6am . Essentially after normal hours of operation . The new law went to effect January 1, 2018 . </P>

When did oregon ban self service gas stations