Life, 1919-08-28 · page 33 of 40
Life — August 28, 1919 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **full-page advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes the Ruud Automatic Gas Water Heater to American homeowners circa early 20th century. The opening visual pun—"Do you have HOT WATER or Two Kinds of Cold Water?"—humorously references the common household frustration of inconsistent water temperature from dual faucets before centralized heating. The ad positions Ruud's system as the solution: a basement-installed gas heater delivering instant hot water throughout the house. Key claims: over 125,000 units in use, 22 years of reliability, lifetime durability. The accompanying product illustration shows the cylindrical heater unit. The text emphasizes convenience and modernity—automating hot water delivery was a significant domestic luxury selling point for this era. The manufacturer, based in Pittsburgh, positions this as standardized, trustworthy technology for both American and Canadian markets.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
nk you ¥ write lly and old Water ? HERE'S no grumbling at deceitful faucets once you install a genuine Ruud Automatic Gas Water Heater. The Ruud connects gas and water pipes in the base- ment or other convenient place, and is con- trolled entirely from your hot-water faucets. Turn on any faucet and the water is heated instantly as it rushes fresh and sparkling to you through the copper coils. There are over 125,000 Ruud Heaters giving Hot Water Service today in large and small homes. For over 22 years this heater has “made good” in providing effi- cient home hot-water service. Go to any gas office, gas appliance store, or plumber, and learn about a Genuine Ruud, the Heater that lasts a lifetime. We have an interesting booklet describing Ruud Hot Water Service, which will be sent free. RUUD AUTOMATIC GAS WATER HEATER “‘Hot Water All Over the House”’ RUUD MANUFACTURING CO. Makers of Standardized Gas Water Heaters Dept. C Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Koud Manufacturing Co. of Canada, 71 Adelaide St. W., Toronto The Ruud goes in the basement or wherever convenient; answers the turn of any hot- water faucet in the house. comicbooks.com