Cartoonist Creig Flessel (2/2/1912 - 7/17/2008) in Huntington, Long Island, New York, The son of a blacksmith, Creig attended Alfred University in New York; he and Marie Marino, his wife-to-be, graduated from there in 1936. Creig’s first gig in comics was as an assistant to cartoonist John H. Streibel on the syndicated newspaper comic strip DIXIE DUGAN. He also helped Streibel execute print advertising artwork for Farina Wheat, the sponsor of the VIC AND SADE radio comedy series. Soon, Creig was working for the prestigious Johnstone & Cushing ad agency and art service on such accounts as Nestlé Toll House Cookies, General Foods, Post Raisin Bran, Eveready batteries and Royal Crown Cola, among others. Over the years, he drew hundreds of strip-ads and storyboards for commercial clients, Entering the comic book field at DC Comics in 1936, Creig drew “Don Drake”, “Fishy Frolics”, “Pep Morgan”, “The Bradley Boys”, “Hanko The Cowboy”, “Buzz Brown” and “Red Coat Patrol” (AKA “Sgt. O’Malley”), for MORE FUN COMICS, "Steve Conrad, Adventurer” for NEW COMICS, "Bret Lawton" and "Speed Saunders" for DETECTIVE COMICS (as well as the covers of many pre-“Batman” issues) and many pre-Simon-and-Kirby “Sandman” stories for ADVENTURE COMICS. Creig also created “The Shining Knight”, first writing and drawing the feature for ADVENTURE COMICS No. 66 (September, 1941). In 1939 and 1940, he also drew illustrations for the pulp magazine, CLUES DETECTIVE STORIES, When original DC editor Vincent “Vin” Sullivan let DC for Columbia Comics, Creig eventually followed him and freelanced on the publisher’s BIG SHOT COMICS. In 1943, when Sullivan formed his own comic book publishing company, Magazine Enterprises, he hired Creig as an associate editor. Creig continued to draw comic books through the 1950s, including “Superboy” stories for DC’s SUPERBOY and ADVENTURE COMICS and short mystery and suspense stories for the American Comics Group’s ADVENTURES INTO THE UNKNOWN; his final “Superboy” story was “The Flying Girl Of Smallville” in SUPERBOY No. 72 (April 1959). Creig occasionally worked for cartoonist Al Capp on his syndicated newspaper comic strip, LI’L ABNER, and from 1960 until its ultimate demise in 1971, Creig drew DAVID CRANE, a Publishers-Hall Syndicate newspaper “soap opera” comic strip about a young minister. (The strip was originally created by Ed (MARK TRAIL) Dodd in 1956 and produced by writer Hart Spence and cartoonist Winslow “Win” Mortimer.) During the early 1970s, Creig worked with the great Joe Simon on a variety of projects for DC comics, including PREZ, CHAMPION SPORTS and “The Outsiders” in 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL. Creig also regularly contributed cartoons to PLAYBOY magazine, including the “Baron Von Firstinbed” strip; many of these were reprinted in the 1990 one-shot PLAYBOY PRESENTS SEX AND OTHER LATE NIGHT LAUGHS. In 1993, Creig donated the original artwork of 2,677 DAVID CRANE comic strips to the Ohio State University Cartoon, Graphic And Photographic Arts Research Library. In 2000, Creig and his wife Marie moved from the East Coast to Mill Valley, California, where he continued to create art for local events and talent shows. In 1991, Creig received the San Diego Comic-Con International’s “Inkpot Award” and in 1992, he was presented with the National Cartoonists Society’s “Silver T-Square” award for “Extraordinary Service”. In 2006, Creig was inducted into the comic-book industry's “Will Eisner Hall of Fame” and in 2007, he received the “Sparky Award” (named after her husband, Charles “Sparky” Schulz) from Jeannie Schulz and San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum. At the time of his death (and of this writing), Creig Flessel was a nominee for the “Hall Of Fame Award” at San Diego’s 2008 Comic-Con International.

REFRESHMENT THROUGH THE AGES, which was drawn by cartoonist Creig Flessel, begins with this front-cover blurb that sets up this entire funnybook:

COVER-BLURB:
We human beings have always thirsted for “something better.” The story of just one of those “thirsts” -- and the great industry that grows to satisfy it -- is a typically American story. A single business gives birth to hundreds of other businesses, provides many thousands of new jobs…and satisfies the thirst of many millions of people, Here, in a way, is a symbol of all America’s progress.

This story continues inside with a sequence showing a prehistoric family -- all dressed with modesty properly appropriate for a 1951 American readership -- attempting to get a drink of water while being attacked by a prehistoric feline:

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
The story begins many centuries ago, long before America’s first settlers arrived. The caveman and his family are forced to live close to the lake or stream that provides their drinking water…where danger sometimes threatens! When the danger is over, they can relax for a moment and gratefully enjoy the cool waters…

Next, we’re shown Native Americans who create a refreshment-friendly innovation that makes their lives easier:

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
Centuries later, men find ways to make crude containers…and, at last, can carry their drinking water with them wherever they travel…

But these advances paled in comparison to the discovery of natural carbonated water:

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
America’s early explorers, seeking a new world in the wilderness, sometimes paused for a moment in their search…

FRONTIER EXPLORER #1 (drinking from a canteen):
Ugh! This tastes flat…

FRONTIER EXPLORER #2:
This spring water should be better!

FRONTIER EXPLORER #2 (after drinking):
Roger, come quickly -- taste this! Taste how good it is, Roger.

FRONTIER EXPLORER #3:
And see now it sparkles with tiny bubbles --

FRONTIER EXPLORER #1:
It’s wonderful!

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
Those early explorers discovered one of nature’s natural wonders…natural carbonated water -- BUBBLING SPRINGS!

In the years following the American Revolution, the nation’s upper class gained a taste for the bubbling water:

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
After the nation was born, a few wealthy families gathered regularly at the famous spring,

MAN #1:
That long carriage ride was worth it -- this water is delicious!

WOMAN:
Isn’t it too bad that more people can’t travel here to enjoy it?

MAN #2:
Perhaps if man could find a way to make ordinary water sparkle like this…

After many attempts to accomplish this, chemist Joseph Hawkins finally solved the challenge of creating sparking water:

JOSEPH HAWKINS:
It’s done by mixing water and CARBONIC GAS. The gas makes the water bubble -- JUST LIKE NATURE’S OWN EFFERVESCENT springs!

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
In 1809, Joseph Hawkins was granted the first U.S. patent for manufacturing mineral waters.

Before long, “soda water” becomes America’s favorite drink, that is, before the innovation of adding “special syrups” to add different flavors to the bubbling liquid.

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
For many years, a lot of men tried to create that “really good” drink...and then, in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia…

DR. PEMBERTON:
I think I’ve got it…a completely different drink…a blend of natural flavorings from all over the world!

LABORATORY ASSISTANT:
It’s delicious, Dr. Pemberton…the best yet! Is it hard to mix?

DR. PEMBERTON:
Not with my syrup. Just add cold carbonated water and some chipped ice.

LABORATORY ASSISTANT:
Fine…maybe we can sell it at all the soda fountains!

DR. PEMBERTON:
We’ll try it out here first. Let’s see if OTHER folks like it.

NARRATIVE CAPTION:
They did! The new soft drinks helped make the “Gay Nineties” gay. Soda fountains became the social meeting places for young and old alike…

Soon, bottled soft drinks become popular too. By the 1920s regional soft drink bottling plants are being constructed “in almost every town in America”, with syrup manufacturers selling them their flavored products.

MAN #1:
And that’s what makes this bottling business a good thing for the WHOLE COMMUNITY!

MAN #2:
How do you figure that?

MAN #1:
Well, bottling is a hometown business…brings work and money to local people. And it brings refreshment and enjoyment to them, too.

MAN #2:
Well -- reckon you’re right about that --

MAN #1:
I hear tell a young feller can make himself a right nice career in the soft drink business.

JOHNNY:
Maybe I can get a job in the new bottling plant, Uncle Bill!

MAN #2:
You’re not quite ready to go to work yet, Johnny -- but you’ve got the right idea!

MAN #1:
Yes, sir -- the bottling business is growing mighty fast.

JOHNNY:
I’M growing fast, too -- and it won’t be long before I’ll BE in the bottling business Just wait and see!

Thirty years later, young Johnny has grown into “Uncle John”, who takes his nephew Tommy bowling, while drinking bottles of soft drinks, specifically, Coca-Cola:

TOMMY:
STRIKE! Gee, Uncle John -- you must be mighty thirsty after that game!

UNCLE JOHN:
We’ll take care of that right now Let’s have a Coke…You know, Tommy, I was just about your age when my uncle advised me to go into the bottling business…thirty years ago!

TOMMY:
Thirty years ago? Gosh, Uncle John, you must have STARTED the business!

UNCLE JOHN:
No. there were many before me…but when I started in the 20’s the industry was just beginning its greatest growth! And it’s still growing! Those first bottlers in the business would hardly recognize it today. You see…

Uncle John narrates a montage of more then-and-now scenes illustrating different stages of bottling Coca-Cola:

UNCLE JOHN:
In the old days bottles were washed by hand -- one by one…Nowadays, every bottle is scoured, cleaned and sanitized by high-speed washing machines. In the old days, filling the bottles was a slow, painstaking process…Today’s efficient automatic filling machines measure and pour exact quantities of the syrup and carbonated water with precision and speed. In the old days, sealing was a slow, difficult job -- each stopper had to be carefully inserted by hand. Today, the filled bottles are “capped” at high speed with sanitary, air-tight crowns that keep the drink clean and fresh From the time the bottle enters the washing-machine until it is sealed, it isn’t TOUCHED by human hands!

TOMMY:
Wow! Guess that’s what people mean by “mass production,” isn’t it, Uncle John?

UNCLE JOHN:
That’s right, Tommy, but bottling is only HALF the job of bringing soft drinks within reach of everyone -- we have to have mass DISTRIBUTION and mass-SELLING, as well. Take that truck, for instance….

This time, Uncle John narrates a second montage of then-and-now scenes illustrating the stages of distributing, advertising and selling Coca-Cola:

UNCLE JOHN:
It’s certainly a lot faster and more dependable than the horse-drawn wagons of early days! Modern trucks cover more territory in less time than was DREAMED of fifty years ago. ADVERTISING in those days meant a simple oilcloth sign…Today, of course, invitations to refresh ourselves are a familiar part of our everyday lives…Folks have long been able to enjoy their soft drinks -- whether gathered ‘round the somewhat crude “coolers” of yesterday -- or today’s efficient streamlined coolers and vending machines.

Still discussing the current state of soft drink production, the duo drops by Uncle John’s home for a refreshment or two:

UNCLE JOHN:
Yes, Tommy…Many improvements have been necessary to satisfy daily the thirst of millions -- but the good old quality has stayed the same!

TOMMY:
Speaking of thirst! How about giving OURSELVES a treat?

UNCLE JOHN:
Good idea. Here’s a cold one…

TOMMY:
Thanks! You know, getting these bottles into our hands involves a lot more than I would have guessed!

UNCLE JOHN:
Yes…and the soft-drink business involves many OTHER BUSINESSES, too, Tommy…It provides work for the bottle and crown manufacturers, glass, cork and steel makers lumber companies --

Uncle John sits down and begins to sketch the various applications of products and technology associated with bottling soft-drinks:

UNCLE JOHN:
Here. Let’s write own some of the many businesses that are related to the bottling industry.

Uncle John and his precocious nephew continue their discussion of the world behind the creation of soft-drinks:

TOMMY:
‘N’ how about the case and carton manufacturers?

UNCLE JOHN:
That’s right -- and the sign makers, printers, refrigerator-makers, paint manufacturers -- But that’s enough for now, young fellow -- Better be getting on with your homework -- SCHOOL tomorrow, you know!

Tommy picks up his uncle’s sketch and examines it:

TOMMY:
That’s an idea -- THIS might come in handy at school.

UNCLE JOHN:
Tommy, you amaze me -- I’m not sure which is greater -- your thirst for knowledge, or your thirst for a certain delicious and refreshing ice-cold drink!

TOMMY:
I’M sure of one thing, though -- it took a lot of businesses -- and a lot of people -- to satisfy that thirst for a good soft drink!

Also included in this issue of REFRESHMENT THROUGH THE AGES is the following advertisement:

• “Compliments Of Your Friendly Neighbor Who Bottles Coca-Cola”, a nicely-drawn back-cover ad for the corporate sponsor of this publication.

ODDBALL FACTOID – One of the classmates of cartoonist Creig Flessel at New York’s Alfred University was fellow cartoonist Charles Addams!

New Next Week: ODDBALL COMIC #1,237 -- MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008 -- Talk about a wipe-out! “Presenting an all-new, action-packed confrontation between Marvel’s mightiest super-stars!” Yes, it’s THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN & THE INCREDIBLE HULK in an original, never-before-reprinted-anywhere comic book story drawn by the great Marie Severin, who Roy Thomas calls “one of the most underrated people in the history of comics”! So what’s so !?#%?!! ODDBALL about that? Well, there is the fact that “The Gamma Gambit!” is printed on special 2-ply novelty TOILET PAPER! (Uhh, does Smilin’ Stan Lee know about this week’s outrageously ODDBALL COMIC?)