Description
Full color 9 1/2″ x 13 3/4″ ad that is for the new Solutized Shell Gasoline. It was just months before the start of World War II and, unfortunately, many of the thoughts were about this. The top picture in this ad has a picture of three U.S. fighter planes flying and the headline says that “They found 90 extra miles an hour in a drop of oil”. The ad then claims that “A drop of crude oil will spot your clothes – dirty your hands – make you sniff. Nasty stuff! Yet scientists at the “University of Petroleum” (Shell’s $3,500,000 research laboratories) look at it and love it. They see in it a universe of possibilities – wonders realized and miracles yet to come. They discovered how to produce Iso-octane, on a commercial scale, from a waste petroleum gas. This was the key to 100-octane fuel for American aviation which led to an increase in the speed and flying range of America’s planes up to 30%. Because Shell scientists saw extra miles in a drop of oil, and were able to get them out”. In the REAL part of the ad, it has the headline saying that “You get this research “by the gallon” in NEW Solutized Shell“. It then claims that “821 research scientists and assistants work for you at the “University of Petroleum”. They found a key to production from petroleum of synthetic rubber – glycerine – plastics – fertilizers – germicides – even TNT. Now they’ve advanced the Road Performance Rating (RPR) of Shell Gasoline to an all-time high: 1. It is refined with the Solutizer Process (originated by Shell’s research laboratories, Patent No. 2,149,379). This steps up performance by removing the “pro-knock mercaplans” which have always been a drag on performance. 2. Thermal conversion makes it extra rich in iso-compounds similar to those in aviation gasoline. These two factors save on the costliest driving you do – Stop-and-Go. And increased RPR puts a new thrill in your motoring. Your Shell dealer has new Solutized Shell (at regular price) and Shell Premium – try a tankful today!”
Source: April 28, 1941 Life magazine.
