AN 'IMPORTANT UNUSUAL ANNOUNCEMENT' FOR WASHINGTONIANS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 6, 1925, The Evening Star ran an advertisement offering readers a "private car to rent and drive" whenever they wished. The car is described as "big, roomy (and) distinguished looking." As a bonus, there is nothing displayed on the car to identify it as a rental.
The ad was taken out by Glassman Rent-A-Car Company of 1319 L. St. NW in the Nation's Capital. It refers to their rentals as the "Hertz Drivurself System*."
Within the ad is a coupon to "ride 5 miles free" on the renter's 1st trip. That would enable the thrifty President Coolidge to ride from the White House to the Capitol and back for free with 4/10 of a mile to spare. He would love that!
Mileage, the ad states, is measured by a "certified hubodometer**," which is "as accurate as railroad man's watch."
*In 1918 Walter L. Jacobs founded his rental car company sporting a dozen Ford Model Ts for rent. Five years later, having built up to 600 vehicles, Jacobs sold the company to John D. Hertz but would continue as president & CEO of the company until 1961.
In 1923, Hertz offered its Driveurself system. Today the company, HQ in Estero, Florida also operates Dollar & Thrifty Car Rentals. It has 36% of the market & is 2nd behind Enterprise.
**Hubodometer, aka hubometer, is a device mounted on the axle of a vehicle to measure distance traveled based on rotation of the wheel hub.
SOURCE
"Important Unusual Announcement; The Glassman Rent-A-Car Company," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
