Life, 1912-06-06 · page 35 of 56
Life — June 6, 1912 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **primarily a product advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It's a 1920s promotion for Gargoyle Mobiloil lubricating oil by the Vacuum Oil Company (Rochester, U.S.A.). **The content:** The page features an illustration of early automobiles at a garage with a large Mobiloil sign, emphasizing that correct oil selection is "vital." The advertisement argues that motorists cannot determine proper oil through simple testing and must rely on dealer recommendations based on their proprietary guide chart. **What's notable for modern readers:** This reflects an era when automobile maintenance was highly specialized knowledge—before standardized industry practices existed. The detailed chart matching specific car models to oil grades (A, B, D, E, "Arctic") suggests oil specifications varied dramatically by vehicle type and season. **The modest satire:** The headline "Who recommended your lubricating oil? *That is vital*" mildly pokes fun at motorists' likely confusion, positioning Vacuum Oil as the authoritative expert solving consumer uncertainty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A guide to correct Automobile lubrication Explanation: In the schedule the letter opposite the car indicates the grade ef Gargoyle Mobiloil that should be used . . For example, “A” me argoyle Mobil- fe] I Ol oil A.” mea le Mobiloil A grade for each type of mi . Arctic’ F : i 3 otor: | goyle Mobiloil A. The recommendat cover both pleasure and commercial vehic- les unless otherwise noted. Moon oF |i CARS tom Tien Dera eo Who recommended your } 2 =a lubricating oil? That is vital = Automobile lubricants are like automobile parts. They must fit the car they are used on. The correct oil cannot be determined by simple tests. Most motorists must depend on advice. Dealers who handle Gargoyle Mobiloil can give you the specific recommendations of the Vacuum : Oil Company—the recognized leaders in lubrication. i425 >i a>! ome! te >>! poem: : | wine > bm. ome SSS >. bbb ble > eEeeaee: e>er>d>>. >>uaa>>> Peerar > > >. ek>! >>ze>>>: o>>>>Knn>>d Fa>>2 MIM: me >>>>o > mw > >mmmt >>: FiFedo es: Fo pm >F>>>>m m > m wy>. >>t>! > > >>>! e p>>! >e>e >i b>>e>ediee>: ©: 5, > >>aphin m>>>>htur>rers>az>. >>>er > w: b: beeeeed >>e?: oe de > We supply them with a guide chart (printed in part below). The chart was prepared after a careful analysis of every American car and practically every foreign make. It will show you the correct grade of lubricating oil for your car (summer and winter). Roma aar bem fm > FF >>>F Tiel pentesokSe >F>>>>et ehomms = In power-engineering circles these rec- The oils (refined and filtered to remove free carbon) are named: Gargoyle Mobiloil “A.” . . A Gargoyle Mobiloil * that, i: quality, the oils specified on the Gargoyle Mobiloil “D."" chittsvtrawotld standard, Gargoyle Mobiloil **E.”* i world standard Gargoyle Mobiloil **Arctic.”” Th. y are put up in barrels, half-barrels, All are branded with, the Gargoyle, and in + and 1 gallon sealed, white cans. which is our mark cf manufacture. VACUUM OIL CO., Rochester, U.S. A. Dist ibuting warehouses in the principal cities of the world. ommen ‘ations from us would be accepted a authoritative. You may feel assured ¥, Fae Free >i bo, pBDBD, Bba>. b>e: bRD> oD> WRG! RNADn. Seon! ene! mann RRn ——— : moi i paw; whi pondsananepeel pat. oEoaennn: GO ome: We pot tan> no nem bo pee comicbooks.com