Advice

[ 39 ] January 29, 2013 | Erik Loomis

Today, I turned 39. In my ripe old age, I’d like to share some advice from the WPA. From 1941:

The more you know.

Comments (39)

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Vance Maverick says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:10 pm

That is one beautiful poster. Look at the careful design and placement of the apostrophes, like stray cuneiform. I appreciate the subject classification:

Subjects:
Gasoline pumps–United States–1930-1940.
Skulls–1930-1940.
Intoxication–1930-1940.
Safety–1930-1940.

And: happy birthday!

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- Erik Loomis says:
  
  January 29, 2013 at 10:11 pm
  
  I want to create an entire career in the Venn Diagram of 1930s gasoline pumps and skulls.
  
  Reply
Robert Farley says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:11 pm

I hate it when the government tries to tell me what to do. And I think I have some gasoline in the lawnmower…

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mark f says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:13 pm

On the other hand, fuck it, why not, it’s your birthday.

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Sev says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:15 pm

Dammit, they can flex-fuel the infernal combustion engine, why can’t they flex-fuel the liver?

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DrDick says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:17 pm

Hippo birdies, youngster. You are not quite a year younger than my son, who turns 40 in April.

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T.R. Donoghue says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:18 pm

Happy birthday!

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Jeffrey Beaumont says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:22 pm

I assume they mean dont drink and drive? Was there a lot of gas-drinking in the 1930s? Happy bday Loomis.

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- Erik Loomis says:
  
  January 29, 2013 at 10:24 pm
  
  There was a lot of adulterating whiskey with other substances. There was actually a real need for this kind of poster. See the jake leg for more:
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_ginger
  
  Reply
  - Jeffrey Beaumont says:
    
    January 29, 2013 at 10:41 pm
    
    jesus christ.
    
    Reply
    - CaptBackslap says:
      
      January 29, 2013 at 11:03 pm
      
      The Dan Baum article in the references is outstanding, incidentally.
      
      Reply
      - Richard says:
        
        January 30, 2013 at 12:59 am
        
        Right. Great article
        
        Reply
    - Richard says:
      
      January 30, 2013 at 12:58 am
      
      Pretty awful. I had learned about it years ago through the blues songs about the affliction. Although it really wasn’t adulterated whiskey but adulterated patent medicine
      
      Reply
  - Patrick says:
    
    January 30, 2013 at 12:44 pm
    
    Well, that was back when it was leaded gasoline. I’m pretty sure the upshot of those Kevin Drum articles are that it’s A-OK now.
    
    Reply
Thom says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:30 pm

Happy birthday, young Erik!

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- Erik Loomis says:
  
  January 29, 2013 at 10:31 pm
  
  Thanks. I hope you haven’t mixed any gasoline with your whiskey this fine evening.
  
  Reply
- Brenda Johnson says:
  
  January 30, 2013 at 12:08 am
  
  Happy birthday, young whippersnapper.
  
  Reply
  - Alan in SF says:
    
    January 30, 2013 at 1:49 pm
    
    This is confusing, because I don’t think that many people really would drink gasoline and whiskey together. This isn’t another one of those “metaphor” things, is it?
    
    And wouldn’t you love to see a WPA poster warning against mixing metaphors?
    
    Reply
Hogan says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:31 pm

Many happy returns, young man.

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Fake Irishman says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:43 pm

What are your thoughts on mixing gasoline with nice bottle of pumpkin-infused vodka?
(Happy birthday!)

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- Erik Loomis says:
  
  January 29, 2013 at 10:43 pm
  
  Hello!
  
  Reply
- rea says:
  
  January 30, 2013 at 8:49 am
  
  Only if you set the result on fire.
  
  Reply
Anonymous says:

January 29, 2013 at 10:59 pm

I think my dad did something like that to pass smog checks.

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zombie rotten mcdonald says:

January 29, 2013 at 11:03 pm

wow, you’re awful young. Now I feel like I haven’t done anything with my life, since you’ve been the recipient of a Wingnut Flying Monkey Attack already.

It’s kind of mordantly hilarious that our modern eyes see that poster as being about drunk driving, when the reality was about, really, the need for government regulation of booze to avoid having it mixed with toxic additives.

Now if only we could even start talking about the damage adding those same toxic additives to our environment.

So any way, Happy Happy! Maybe zombies are not so good at this whole ‘cheering up’ thing. Oh well. you’re all just going to be chewed up by my compatriots eventually, or joining us.

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- Uncle Kvetch says:
  
  January 30, 2013 at 9:39 am
  
  Now I feel like I haven’t done anything with my life, since you’ve been the recipient of a Wingnut Flying Monkey Attack already.
  
  Seriously. I’m 48…when do I get my moment of SKREEEEEEE, huh?
  
  Anyway, happy birthday to a true voice crying out in the wilderness. What time does the Funky Get Down Juche Party start?
  
  Reply
Leeds man says:

January 29, 2013 at 11:21 pm

Many grating and inflammatory returns, young man!

And let this be a lesson to us all that making your own booze is the safest bet, as long as you’re not caught making it.

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- Erik Loomis says:
  
  January 29, 2013 at 11:30 pm
  
  Watch out for the revenuers!
  
  Reply
  - BigHank53 says:
    
    January 30, 2013 at 8:08 am
    
    Around here, that’s not a joke. Still busts show up in the paper on a regular basis. Happy birthday!
    
    Reply
dp says:

January 30, 2013 at 12:11 am

That’s absolutely right. I NEVER put gasoline in my whiskey.

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- Mrs Tilton says:
  
  January 30, 2013 at 6:59 am
  
  Oh, it doesn’t matter what you put in your whiskey; so long as you add nothing to whisky, bar a drop or two of water.
  
  Reply
UberMitch says:

January 30, 2013 at 12:33 am

Bart Simpson: Oh, P-U, what where you drinking, gasoline?
Krusty the Clown: Yes, I was drinking gasoline, MOTHER!

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herr doktor bimler says:

January 30, 2013 at 3:37 am

There’s kerosene around.
Something to do.

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- Djur says:
  
  January 30, 2013 at 2:13 pm
  
  A different set of vices, there.
  
  Reply
Book says:

January 30, 2013 at 5:28 am

What are you planning to do for your midlife crisis? Buy a motorcycle and leather jacket like my dad?

Drop some more references to what’s “hip” these days, maybe?

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Chester Allman says:

January 30, 2013 at 6:55 am

Happy Birthday! And stay away from the canned heat, too….

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Malaclypse says:

January 30, 2013 at 7:25 am

39 is a very good age to be. I liked it so much, that last year was my Eighth Annual 39th Birthday.

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- Barry Freed says:
  
  January 30, 2013 at 8:22 am
  
  What a coincidence, it was mine too.
  
  And a happy belated birthday Professor Loomis. I need to find some heads-on-sticks birthday candles to send you for your big 4-0 next year.
  
  Reply
somethingblue says:

January 30, 2013 at 11:43 am

This is terrible news for John McCain.

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Conrad says:

January 30, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Not a fan of the whole ethanol-in-fuel scheme then?

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