This Week in Petroleum History, January 13 – 19

January 14, 1928 – Dr. Seuss begins illustrating Standard Oil Ads –

New York City’s Judge magazine published its first cartoon drawn by Theodor Seuss Geisel — who would develop his skills as “Dr. Seuss” while working for the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey.

January petroleum history Dr. Seuss first ad for Flit bug spray

Theodore Geisel’s 1928 magazine cartoon featured Standard Oil’s widely popular bug spray Flit.

In the 1928 cartoon that launched his professional career as an advertising illustrator, Geisel drew a peculiar dragon trying to dodge Flit, a popular bug spray of the day. “Quick, Henry, the Flit!” soon became a catchphrase nationwide. Flit was one of Standard Oil of New Jersey’s many consumer products derived from petroleum. (more…)

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