Useful information (?):

http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint6.htm

"In 1951, FRAM introduced the first dry-type carburetor air filter, replacing the previous oil-bath type filter. First used as original equipment on 1952 Studebaker models, this type of filter is used almost universally on today?s passenger cars." (from FRAM website)

http://www.roadkill.com/~davet/moto/air.filters.html