Judge — February 16, 1929 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Ethyl Gasoline Advertisement This is primarily a **commercial advertisement** rather than political satire, though it employs Judge magazine's characteristic humor. The page depicts "Farmer Jones" retiring wealthy after selling his land, now a country estate owner—a success story attributed to selling ethyl gasoline. The visual pun shows motorists climbing a steep hill, with the caption claiming "NO ONE EVER MADE THIS HILL IN HIGH WITHOUT USING ETHYL." The joke plays on double meaning: the hill both represents automotive performance and Jones's social elevation. The advertisement suggests ethyl gasoline's superiority over regular fuel for engine performance, particularly for challenging driving conditions like steep grades. This reflects 1920s-era marketing when **leaded gasoline (ethyl)** was promoted as a premium product, before its health dangers became known.