After being discharged from the army in 1946, Ray and Marv Lubow formed Tel-Ray Electronics, specializing in Television and Radio repair. As the company grew, Ray also began dabbling in audio inventions specifically, delay. Les Paul had already pioneered an effect called tape echo, but folks were trying to figure out how to make a smaller, more practical version of this oversized effect. Inspired to do just that, on June 30, 1959, Ray submitted the patent for an electro-static delay apparatus known today as the oil can delay. These delay units contained oil in a tuna-can shaped drum that was moved by a belt mechanism that turned the drum while a special disk apparatus on which the audio signal charge was written and read through rubber wiper heads. The playback speed was directly related to the drums rotation speed. The oil acted as a protective layer to keep the audio signal charge electrons in place, creating a truly unique echo effect with elements of vibrato and slapback delay. Ray Lubow began licensing the oil can delay technology to amplifier companies, including Fender, Gibson, and Rickenbacker. In the late 1960s, Ray and Marv decided they wanted to start selling their devices under their own brand name and launched the now legendary effects company, Morley. Ray chose the name as a none-to-subtle jab at their competitor Leslie: Why settle for less with a Leslie when you can get more with Morley? Morley manufactured oil can delays up until 1989.

At Wilcos Solid Sound Festival in 2022, JHS founder Josh Scott found himself in a discussion with legendary guitarist Nels Cline. Nels brought up the subject of weird delays, leading to an in-depth discussion of the strangest pedals theyd ever played. Josh received a message from Nels a few days later asking if JHS made an oil can style delay and began explaining the particular sound he wanted from this type of echo. Though JHS didnt have one in the official lineup, Josh and team developed a one-off oil can delay pedal. When they presented it to Nels as a gift, he liked it so much that he used it through the recording and touring process for Wilcos Cruel Country and now their latest release, Cousin. Though the JHS Oil Can Delay isnt a signature artist pedal, theyre still grateful to Nels Cline for inspiring it.