The Oil Industry as Portrayed in 1956 Cartoon
“Destination Earth”
1956: When “Oil” and “Competition” Weren’t Dirty Words to Some Americans

The American Petroleum Institute presents:
DESTINATION EARTH ~ 1956

Mars is ruled by a dictator named Ogg. The martians are small yellow hermaphrodites with big noses and space helmets. The poor shlubs are herded by soldiers into a space-age coliseum where Ogg forces them to applaud as they endure his criticisms of problems with martian ground transportation … shitty fuel, too much friction.

A single martian is sent to Earth to find a solution. The intrepid Martian crashes his saucer into a farm, sets forth into the city, learns about the glorious benefits of petroleum, steals a few library books, and heads back to Mars.

He reveals the truths he’s learned to the crowd in the coliseum. The crowd is fueled by the spirit of capitalism and the dictatorship breaks down instantly, to be replaced by the Oil Pioneers, the Oil Explorers, and new management.

We learn that a future with oil and competition is: “Destination Unlimited”.

WANT more Babba Zee and the Outraged Spleen of Zion? Try these recent posts: * Atonement and Holiness * Good Morning Comrades: AIG Nationalized

by Babba Zee
images: Outraged Spleen of Zion
Source: Saturday Afternoon Cartoon

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