Judge — July 9, 1898 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine satire mocks overly optimistic predictions about submarine technology following the Spanish-American War (1898). The central cartoon depicts a submarine at a voting poll, surrounded by fantastical applications for the new vessels. The page ridicules absurd claims that submarines would revolutionize whale-hunting, overcome Arctic ice barriers to reach the North Pole, locate Spanish shipwrecks for treasure, and prevent drownings. Side panels show equally implausible scenarios. The satire targets two audiences: those promoting submarines as technological panaceas for any problem, and post-war American triumphalism. By pairing the submarine's legitimate military achievement against Spain with these ridiculous civilian applications, Judge suggests people were irrationally excited about the technology's potential. The title references Spain's recent defeat, implying Americans were riding high on military victory and embracing inflated technological optimism without realistic assessment.