Judge, 1931-04-04 · page 2 of 36
Judge — April 4, 1931 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Ethyl Gasoline Advertisement This is **not a satirical cartoon** but rather a **straightforward product advertisement** for Ethyl Gasoline, published in Judge magazine. The page uses a panther climbing a tree as a metaphor for controlled power and efficiency. The accompanying text compares the gasoline's performance to the panther's muscular control—"every muscle is under control." The advertisement explains that Ethyl fluid additive prevents engine "knock" and uneven combustion, delivering smoother, more powerful performance. The chemical formula shown (lead-based additives, though not explicitly stated here) was standard in mid-20th century gasoline marketing. This represents typical vintage advertising that appeared in satirical magazines, though the content itself is purely promotional rather than satirical.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PLENTY of POWER under perfect control There is no wasted power in the panther’s leap; every muscle is under control... To put the power of gasoline under control, leading oil refiners add Ethyl fluid, forming Ethyl Gasoline. Inside your motor, the Ethyl fluid lays a controlling hand on combustion. It pre- vents the uneven explosions that cause power loss, “knock” and overheating. It develops a smooth, powerful pressure on the pistons that brings out the best performance of any ear. Ethyl Gasoline Corporation, New York. nae ETHYL GASOLINE comicbooks.com