Notes

A drawing of a noble Egyptian woman wearing makeup. 

Do 3,000 year old cosmetics indicate that space travelers visited ancient Egypt?

In a serious and heavily researched book published in 1972, the writer theorizes that space travelers visited prehistoric tribes on earth, including the earliest Egyptians. As part of his evidence he cites ancient carvings and paintings of space ships and helmeted creatures, the still inexplicable engineering feat involved in building the pyramids, and curious coincidence in the matching of some pyramids’ dimensions with the distances between the planets and the sun.

The writer claims that the space travelers were received as gods, and when they left, some human priests and nobles were convinced they would return and restore life.

Hence the very thorough mummification and preparation of noble dead, who were buried along with necessities for their revival.

We wouldn’t bet on the writer’s theory. But what interests us is that cosmetics were considered necessities of life that were buried with Egyptian women, and that samples of recovered ancient cosmetics are on display in the world’s museums. We feel honored to be part of an industry with such a venerable past and which is still so necessary for women. Aside from water, the ingredients used more than any others in cosmetics are white mineral oils and petrolatums. We are a principal supplier of both.

Penn Drake White Mineral Oils and Petrolatums are the base materials for hair preparations, creams, lotions and bath oils, to name a few. They are pure. Consistent. Reliable. Everything a woman wants in her cosmetics—and other things.

For specifications and complete technical data, write: Penreco Inc., formerly Pennsylvania Refining Company, Butler, Pa. 16001.

Penn-Drake

White Mineral Oils & Petrolatums

This ad begins with descriptions of Egyptians, which also matches the Egyptian woman portrayed. What is particularly notable is that the company is trying to convey that just like Egyptian women considered cosmetics a necessity, modern women do too. As a selling point, they convey that Penn Drake White Mineral Oils and Petrolatums have “everything a woman wants in her cosmetics.” This also implies to manufacturers that if they include Penn Drake White Mineral Oils and Petrolatums in their products, they will have a large and loyal consumer base because the products will contain the qualities that women want. In short, having Penn Drake White Mineral Oils and Petrolatums in products will generate profit.

Christy Lam