A hundred years ago this month, the September 1924 issue of Amazing Stories carried this ad for an amazing product, namely this underground antenna from the Curtan Mfg. Co., 154 E. Erie Street, Chicago, the Ground Antenna promised loud and clear reception, regardless of static conditions. You would get better long-distance reception, freedom from static, far greater selectivity, and marvelously clear and sweet tone.

By writing to the company, you would get more details of their risk-free trial offer. It seems like a safe bet. If you decided it wasn’t living up to the promises, you probabaly had to go outside and dig it up to get your money back. This was probably safer for the company than its earlier endeavor, shown in the 1927 ad shown here from National Republic magazine. That miraculous product promised 120 miles on a gallon of gas, as well as instant starts in zero degree weather.