Facts: In the early 1890s, English citizens greatly feared the Russian Flu. The Carbolic Smoke Ball Company ran a newspaper ad that contained two key passages: 

“£100 reward will be paid by the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company to any person who contracts the influenza after having used the ball three times daily for two weeks according to the printed directions supplied with each ball.”

“£1000 is deposited with the Alliance Bank, shewing our sincerity in the matter.”

The product was a ball that contained carbolic acid. Users would inhale vapors from the ball through a long tube. Carlill purchased a smoke ball and used as directed for two months. She then caught the flu. She sued, arguing that, because her response to the ad had created a contract with the company, she was entitled to £100.

The trial court agreed, awarding Carlill the money. The company appealed.

Questions:

Did the advertisement amount to an offer? If so, was the offer accepted?