Life — October 30, 1931 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Ethyl Gasoline Advertisement This is a **straightforward advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The page promotes Ethyl Gasoline, a motor fuel product from the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation (New York City). The four photographs show hands at gas pumps, emphasizing that Ethyl is the market's best-selling fuel. The ad claims that "every fifth hand" belongs to an Ethyl pump customer, citing Route 42 between Cincinnati and Cleveland as evidence. The pitch emphasizes Ethyl's superiority: it contains an "Ethyl fluid" that "controls combustion," enabling smoother engine performance without harmful "knock." The ad targets car owners broadly, promising improved performance through controlled fuel combustion. The era and marketing approach suggest this dates to the 1920s-1930s, when leaded gasoline was widely promoted without health concerns.