If you've ever shopped for tires, needed an oil change, or driven past an auto repair shop in the United States, chances are you've seen the Pep Boys name. The automotive service chain is known for its familiar logo featuring three cartoon men, but the story behind the name is more unusual than you might expect.
Despite what the logo suggests, Pep Boys wasn't originally founded by three men named Manny, Moe, and Jack. The business started with four partners in Philadelphia in 1921, and its name came from an automotive product and a local police officer who reportedly sent motorists looking for replacement parts their way. Here's how a small auto supply store developed one of the most recognizable names in America's automotive aftermarket.
