Prest-O-Lite Ad August 1909

This ad for Prest-O-Lite gas fueled headlights appeared in the special edition automobile section of the August 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star. Note some of the interesting information that can be gleaned through a quick copy read:
 

• Thirty-eight auto manufacturers used the Prest-O-Lite headlights as standard equipment.
• The company warns against using "generators."
• Ten cubic feet of compressed gas = 40 hours of use.
• The company had headlight products for motorcycles.
• The company offered a product called "Prest-O-Tire." This was a canister of compressed carbonic gas to be used in filling up 36x5 inch tires "in a jiffy."
• Note that if you returned your empty Prest-O-Tire canister you could receive a re-charged one for 60 cents. Your initial canister cost $3.00 and additionals were $1.00.

 
Prest-O-Lite was the breakthrough product that propelled the fortunes of Indianapolis Motor Speedway founders Carl Fisher and James Allison to elite levels. Both were established businessmen when they founded the corporation, originally named Concentrated Acetylene Company.